Granite Peak Guard Station

Rehabilitation of the Granite Peak Guard Station

June 27 – July 1, 2011

HistoriCorps will rehabilitate the historic Granite Peak Guard Station to continue as the San Juan National Forest’s back-country patrol and trail cabin.

Location: The Granite Peak Guard Station is about five miles due southwest of the Continental Divide on the west bank of the Los Pinos River. There are no roads to this site. Access is by foot or horseback only.  The best way to access the site is via the Thirtymile Campground and Trailhead and take trail 818 south through the Weminuche Wilderness to the Granite Peak Guard Station. It is about a 12 mile hike in.

History: The Granite Peak Guard Station is located along the west bank of the Los Pinos River and was likely constructed by the Forest Service between 1907 and 1913.  Early facilities were often constructed by rangers and products of the rangers’ personal preference. The cabin was originally part of the San Juan Forest Reserve designated in 1905 and now known as the Weminuche Wilderness, named in honor of the early band of Utes who inhabited the land. Motorized tools and transportation have never been allowed in the preserve. The cabin is still used as a temporary stopping place by rangers who ride the range on horseback.

Scope of Work: HistoriCorps will replace a rotted log purlin on the cabin, the east sill log, log crowns at the southwest corner of the building, log posts and purlin at the north porch and a horizontal log beam at the south porch. All log work will be treated with borate. The stove pipe, flue, roof jack and flashing will be replaced.  Site work will also improve access from the cabin to the outhouse.

Dates: 6/27 – 7/1/2011