Cabin History: Mtn. Home Guard Station was constructed between 1933 and 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) to provide a residence for Forest Service fire patrolmen stationed in that area. In 1964, the Forest Service no longer needed the use of the cabin. Mountain Home State Forest used the cabin to house California Division of Forestry personnel from 1965 to 1997 under a Special Use Permit issued by the Forest Service. The cabin is 900 square feet, single story and consists of 1 bedroom with a closet, 1 bathroom, a living room and a kitchen with a service porch. The original cabinets, living room and bedroom flooring and bath fixtures remain. The interior has been slightly modified. The exterior is constructed of redwood board over 1 X 8 diagonal sheeting nailed to a standard wooden frame.
Recreation Use: There is no electricity at Mtn. Home. Light is provided by "daylight", or you will need to provide your own battery-powered flashlights or propane lanterns. Overnight use (up to 14 days) of Mtn. Home Guard Station and its facilities is available for individuals, families and groups up to 10. The cabin is equipped with propane hot water heater, cook stove, refrigerator, and panel-type heater. There are table and chairs in the kitchen, two twin bed couch's, large picnic style table and benches in the living room, and in the bedroom, a queen bed, twin bed, and roll-away, all with mattresses. There are also other items of equipment and/or supplies, such as cleansers, pots, pans, utensils, dishes and silverware, a bucket and shovel for fire prevention for the outdoor fire ring, and a rake and ax. Because of vandalism problems, the presence of these items is not guaranteed. There is an outdoor fire ring/barbecue, and picnic table. The cabin will provide sleeping area for 6 adults, with plenty of room for tents or cots outside. There are several hitching racks and two small corrals for containment of stock. NO SMOKING ALLOWED INSIDE FACILITIES.
Enjoying Your Stay: Plan on bringing sleeping bags or bedding and pillows, bath towels and toiletries. No food or condiments, (salt, pepper, etc.) are provided, so be sure to bring ALL food items you will need. Suggested additional items would be toilet paper, paper towels, tinfoil, baggies and dish clothes or towels. A flashlight for each person would be useful, along with a camera and lots of insect repellant. The shade and lush vegetation are the preferred summer home of insects, also!
Your Responsibilities: We ask that you bring trash bags to take your RECYCLABLE'S back with you. A trash container near the garage area is provided for your convenience for the balance of your trash, including garbage. We also ask that when you leave no water be left running, and the cabin is left "clean as a whistle", just like you found it or better, and ready for the next cabin occupants! Cleaning tools and supplies are provided for your convenience.
Reservations: Reservations for the cabin should be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) 1-877-444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com.
Getting There: Mtn. Home Guard Station is located 90 miles north/east of Bakersfield and 35 miles east of Porterville, taking Balch Park Road off of Hwy 190 just as you leave the town of Springville. Please refer to the small scale map, and contact the Western Divide District office for more complete directions. You will be given cabin entrance instructions when you receive your permit. Please lock up behind yourself when you leave.
Things To Do: Just a short distance away is Balch Park, a Tulare County operated park with camping (fee charged), and two ponds that are occasionally stocked with fish. Balch Park is located within the boundary of Mtn. Home Demonstration State Forest. Mtn. Home Demonstration State Forest features Hedrick Pond, another favorite stocked fishing spot and camping site, along with several other campgrounds (no fees charged). Nearby Shake Camp campground is near Balch Park Pack Station (559)539-2227 for day rides and pack trips), and the trailhead entrance to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park, along the Tule River to Long Meadow and beyond. A short distance down the road from Shake Camp will bring you to Hidden Falls, Moses Gulch, and the Tule River. Frazier Mill campground is less than a mile from the cabin. Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest has a variety of well maintained trails and interesting sites to visit, along with a fantastic array of giant sequoia trees in a natural, non-commercial setting. Hiking trails and detailed information will be available in a book maintained at the Mtn. Home Guard Station cabin, along with laminated copies you can take with you during your visit.
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