Mowich Lake Patrol Cabin

Mowich Lake Patrol Cabin

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Mowich Lake

Significance:

Historic Structure

Season: Summer Only

Mowich Lake Patrol Cabin is one of the oldest backcountry ranger stations in the park. It was intended as a temporary headquarters for rangers on patrol of the park 's western boundary and the Wonderland Trail. Aspects of the cabin's log frame, rectangular design with its steeply pitched cedar shake gable roof, saddle notch cornering, and post and beam frame front porch, were incorporated into the construction of future patrol cabins in the park.

Prior to 1920, there were very few shelters for backcountry rangers and hikers. In 1919-20, Superintendent Roger Toll reported the need for backcountry shelters to be placed ten to fifteen miles apart along the Wonderland Trail. Toll's system evolved into the construction of both patrol cabins and trail shelters under Superintendent O.A. Tomlinson's administration (1923-41).

The Superintendent's annual report for fiscal year 1922 reported the construction by the National Park Service of three patrol cabins on the west side of the park at Mowich Lake, St. Andrews Creek, and at Sunset Park. The Mowich Lake Patrol Cabin is located 0.1 miles east of the junction with the Wonderland Trail after the Mowich Lake Campground. It is still in use today and serves as one of three food-cache locations for hikers along the Wonderland Trail.