The Long Way
Lemhi County
A white historic house with a green roof and a front porch sits in a grassy field.
Plate I. Cabin at Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov
A dirt road leads past a white farmhouse and barn with green roofs nestled against a forested hillside.
Plate II. Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov
A mountain landscape and wooden fence viewed through a window with white curtains.
Plate III. View from window, Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov
An interior room featuring a wood-burning stove and hardwood floors.
Plate IV. Living room, Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov
An interior view of a bedroom with a wooden dresser and a window.
Plate V. Bedroom interior, Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov
A kitchen with white cabinets, yellow walls, and a sink under a window.
Plate VI. Kitchen, Yellowjacket Guard Station. From recreation.gov

Yellowjacket Guard Station

Challis, Lemhi County, Idaho. Guard station; Mid June.

Details

Map. Challis, Lemhi County, Idaho. Larger map
Where
311 MCPHERSON ST, Challis, ID. Directions
Getting there
From Challis, take Highway 93 north 8 miles, left on Morgan Creek Rd. Travel 6 miles and take a slight right onto Forest Road 055/Morgan Creek Rd. Continue 26.7 miles and take a left on Porphury Creek/Forest Road 112. Continue approximately 11 miles along Porphury Creek Road/Forest Road 112 to Yellowjacket Guard Station.
Fees
$75 per night.
Access
No running water; guests bring their own drinking water, dishes, utensils and cookware. No linens or bedding provided. Sleeps a maximum of four in two bedrooms.
Walk-in or reserve
Reservations required via recreation.gov; entry by combination lock, code in reservation confirmation letter.
Phone
(208) 756-5209
Website
fs.usda.gov
Managed by
USDA Forest Service, Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Established
1925.
Coordinates
44.994589, -114.482746.

Many trails for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and off-road riders; hunting is popular; a 40-by-40 horse corral is within the guard station complex.

Notable Events

  1. 1924In 1924 Inspector C. N. Woods found the funded site at the mouth of Camas Creek too dry and out of the way, and authorized Supervisor Scribner to construct headquarters on Yellowjacket Creek. npshistory.com
  2. 1928In 1928 new telephone line was built between Middle Fork Peak and Yellow Jacket Ranger Station. npshistory.com
  3. 1934A Civilian Conservation Corps camp was stationed here to remodel the original dwelling and construct a barn, cellar, and bridge. challischamber.com
  4. 1938Emergency Relief Agency crews worked at Yellowjacket through at least 1938. challischamber.com
  5. 1954The complex was the summer headquarters of the Yellowjacket Ranger District until 1954. challischamber.com
  6. 2002The site served as a seasonal work center until 2002, when it became a rental cabin. challischamber.com

People

  • C. N. Woods, Inspector who authorized headquarters on Yellowjacket Creek (1924).
  • Scribner, Forest Supervisor authorized to construct headquarters on Yellowjacket Creek.

Sources

  1. fs.usda.gov/r04/salmon-challis/recreation/yellowjacket-guard-station-rental-cabin
  2. recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234286
  3. recreation.gov/api/camps/campgrounds/234286