QUINCY, California – July 22, 2016 – The historic Crocker Guard Station will open to the public as a recreation rental on August 1, 2016. Located near the Lake Davis Recreation Area on the east side of the Plumas National Forest, this one-of-a-kind venue provides a unique opportunity for campers to experience life in the early days of the Forest Service, seen through the eyes of rangers and their families who lived at the guard station throughout the twentieth century. Hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing are just some of the activities available in the surrounding area.
“Forest Service retirees have volunteered to work on the station since 2009, and it’s only because of their efforts that we are able to offer this amazing opportunity to visitors,” said Matt Jedra, acting Beckwourth District Ranger. Retirees Curtis Marshall, Mike Martini, Pete Meyer, and Mike Davis volunteered hundreds of hours to restore the guard station.
The guard station has enough beds to accommodate 10 overnight guests at a time, and features propane heat, propane lights, a propane stove, an outside vault toilet and furnishings, although guests must bring their own water. The rental is available for $85 per night and can be booked at http://www.recreation.gov/camping/crocker-guard-station/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=135391 .
Thousand Trails Management Services will be operating and maintaining the rental under a special use permit from the Forest Service. A percentage of the revenue from fees will be retained locally and used for the operation and maintenance of the facility, and for future improvements. The adjacent Crocker Campground can accommodate additional visitors.
Crocker Guard Station was built in 1912 and was staffed until the early 1980s. Originally, a ranger and his family lived and worked at the station. Later, fire crews and other Forest Service personnel were stationed there. Of the original buildings, the guard station and warehouse remain on site.
For more information about this and other recreation opportunities in the area, contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at (530) 836-2575 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas .
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