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Historic Scaler Guard Station, located 78 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, provides an excellent hideaway for cabin camping enthusiasts. The cabin allows pets and horses. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails are in the vicinity. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the former ranger guard station dates back to 1937. Recreation The nearby Absaroka Ridge Trailhead leads hikers and horseback riders along Fontenelle Creek, and provides access into Pomeroy Basin. This trail also attracts big game hunters. Other trails throughout the LaBarge Creek area are ideal for mountain bikers and horse travel. Facilities The three-room guard station is a traditional 1930s-era forest cabin that sleeps six guests on three bunkbeds with mattresses. A picnic table and campfire ring are located outside in front of the cabin. There is no running water available at this cabin. The cabin is equipped with a propane stove and oven, a propane refrigerator, lights and a wood stove. A vault toilet is located behind the structure. Some dishes, pots, pans and utensils are provided, however the presence of these items is not guaranteed. No electricity, linens or bedding are provided. In winter, no drinking water is available, so guests should bring plenty for drinking and cooking. Recommended items to bring include dish soap, dish towerls, toilet paper, gargbag bags and a flashlight. If firewood is on site, this is a courtesy but is not guarenteed. If wood is available, please use only what you need. Always be prepared to collect wood locally or bering to site from local resources. Natural Features Sagebrush and grasses cover the area behind the cabin. A few pines are dispersed in the vicinity, but shade by the cabin is limited. Moose, elk, eagles and sandhill cranes are among the wildlife likely to be seen. An abundance of wildflowers color the landscape in summer. The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public lands for outdoor recreation. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states. ADA Access: N
From Kemmerer, WY, follow US-189 north to the junction of La Barge Road, just south of the town of La Barge. Turn left on La Barge Road and drive 25 miles to the forest boundary. (The first 11 miles of this road are paved.) Continue on La Barge Road/Forest Road 10138 for about 4 more miles to the Scaler Guard Station Road/Forest Road 10013 junction and turn left. Drive 1 mile and turn right. Scaler Guard Station is adjacent to the road on the right.
From Afton, WY, follow US-89 south about 14.5 miles to Smith's Fork Road/Forest Road 10072 junction. Turn left at the junction and follow Smith's Fork Road/Forest Road 10072 for 23 miles to the Tri-Basin Divide. Turn right at the Tri-Basin Divide junction onto Forest Road 10138. Drive south about 10 miles to the Scaler Guard Station Road/Forest Road 10013 junction and turn right. Drive 1 mile and turn right. Scaler Guard Station is adjacent to the road on the right.
This place has fantastic views, according to one of the friendly locals that frequents the area during winter, it has the best views of any of the guard stations in the area. The fishing, at least when I went in late July 2018, was no good. The river had been dammed up and the fish were poisoned and had yet to recover. During my stay the mosquitoes and flies were absolutely awful, but it was worth it for the scenery.(thank God for Off)
If you want some still great scenery and good fishing I would advise going to Scaler Guard Station. This will be at the cost of running water but the cabin itself is far nicer and it is much more remote with no cars going by. Also unlike La Barge the mosquitoes and flies were long gone.
If you have any questions about the place let me know on here and Ill answer them as best as I can.
We will be going back to the cabin next month for our 4th time. It's a nice little cabin placed in one of the most lovely places on earth. We usually visit late in the season, after the water has been turned off. This makes dish washing and clean up more of a challenge (but water in the nearby streamlet is clear and cold) and you must take the short walk to the outside privy, which is kept in good order. There is good parking and room for family activities. The propane furnace is a godsend in cold weather.
We have made this a yearly destination when we need some time away. Lovely valley we enjoy visiting at the beginning of fall. Usually delighted with birds, chipmunks, and have enjoyed the company of moose, the queens and kings of the willow bottoms.
