USFS cabins and lookouts are not comparable to commercial for profit rentals. You are relying on previous renters to clean the cabin before you arrive which sometimes does not happen. Our star review is based upon a rustic cabin experience and some cabins have electricity, propane or just a wood stove. A 5 star for a USFS cabin or lookout could equal a 2 or 3 star review to a regular for profit cabin.
The good:
The BEST USFS cabin we ever rented. Opened in 2001!
Basement with wood, supplies & ski patrol rescue equipment. Main floor is the kitchen, wood stove, dining tables & sitting areas are. The top floor is the bedroom.
You can drive to the cabin except in skiing season. Go through the gate in the woods on the west end of the Chief Joe XC ski trailhead parking area. That road is called Broadway. You can also go via 43 to Gibbons Pass Road & take the first right which Broadway connects.
If you need cell service we have Verizon & about .4 miles north of the cabin on Broadway we got 4 Bar LTE service.
The kitchen has a lot of cooking supplies, a double sink that drains, a 4 burner propane stove although the oven does not work.
2 huge dining tables for about 8+ people each & the kitchen has a bar with 3 seats as well.
In addition there are numerous padded seats since it is a warming hut.
The bedroom upstairs has 2 padded queen size beds & 4 individual pads along the wall so "officially" 8 people can stay.
Solar lights on each floor although but only 1 bulb upstairs with propane lantern backup.
At least 3 battery powered lanterns are provided.
A few games & puzzles + skis on the walls & beams for decoration.
Huge porches on 2 sides.
Lots of wood.
Fire pit with numerous benches.
The bad:
Mouse or something in the wall on the right porch so long waste is running down the exterior wall.
Very limited availability. Only allowed to rent 1 night a year & much of the calendar is blocked.
Not really private. While we had no visitors, there were numerous locals cutting firewood. The CD Trail is nearby & you may get visitors many times in season. The ski club may be by to do work. When open as a warming hut for skiers, they have full access to the main floor. You can't control who & what kind of people will be in the cabin during this time. You are also expected to shovel snow and maintain the cabin as you are the "host" in the winter.
Just noticed that it has gone from $35 to $75 a night.