Water
Most lookouts and cabins do not have safe drinking water, and many have no water at all. Cleaning and washing water can sometimes be obtained from streams or melting snow; however, safe drinking water cannot be assured unless it is purified, filtered or boiled for five minutes. If you are bringing water, we suggest a gallon per day per person.
Lookouts
At most lookouts you will find the Osborne Fire Finder, a standard piece of equipment for observing and mapping smoke and wildfire. You are welcome to use it for identifying landmarks and natural features of the area. But use care when handling it.
Rental Conditions
The Forest Service is eager to point out that it is not interested in the motel business. You will find no bed linen at any of these rentals and you may not find mattresses in some places. You won't find towels or chocolate mints on your pillow, and in fact, you may not even find any pillows. In most places there is no potable water-until you purify it yourself, no sink, and only in a few places will you find electricity or plumbing.
Reservations
First consult our Quick Reference Chart, and when you have decided on your destination, contact the managing Ranger District for an application packet, maps, and further information. The rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some Ranger Districts have specific check-in/check-out times, some do not. We specify those that do. Some Ranger Districts limit the duration of your stay to three nights, others allow as many as ten, others are undecided. We specify this information wherever possible. Again, check with the managing Ranger District.
For some rentals, such as Hamma Hamma, Interrorem, Two Color, Lost Lake, and Snow Camp, you may need to make reservations up to six months in advance, particularly on holiday weekends; however, advanced reservations are required for all rentals.
The rental fee for each structure is used exclusively for the maintenance of that particular structure, and is not lost, as you might expect, in the black hole of bureaucracy. Some Ranger Districts require a deposit, others do not. We specify those that do. If your plans change you may request a rental refund or a credit transfer, but you must do so at least three weeks before your reservation date. If the Forest Service determines the weather conditions are too severe for you to reach the rental safely, you will be given credit toward the next available date.
Most cabins and lookouts are well supplied with a heat source, pots and pans, and eating utensils, though some are not. Inquire at the managing Ranger District office.
Responsible Use
Please leave the cabin or lookout as you found it, or as you would like to have found it. Leave all pots, pans and utensils clean and ready for the next guests. Sweep the floor, pack out garbage, turn off all appliances, lights and propane, and lock the door.
If you are renting a lookout in the winter please leave the catwalk and steps clear of snow.
If you bring pets, make sure they don't disturb wildlife, and please clean up after them. If you bring stock animals, keep them tethered when not in use, and bring weed-free feed for them.
If you bring stoves or lanterns, we suggest propane fuel since it burns cleaner than liquid gas.
Most of these lookouts and cabins already have an established fire ring. Please use it. Do not establish another. Campfires are a luxury. Please be kind to the woods by keeping your fire very small.
Hunters, should hang any kill outdoors (on meat poles when provided); Butchering of animals should be done outside and obviously not in cabins.
Finally, no shooting within 1/4 mile of these rentals.
Though we traveled thousands of miles visiting these destinations in an attempt to give you the best possible directions, due to ever-changing road names and numbers on Forest Service lands in the Pacific Northwest, and seasonal road closures, we urge readers to consult knowledgeable Ranger District personnel prior to each trip in order to get the most current information. We would greatly appreciate being notified, via Wilderness Press, of any changes that may have occurred since the books publication. Your correspondence will help us improve later editions.
What to Bring: The Essentials
 Special Use Permit
Drinking water and/or water filter
Food
Toilet paper
Waterproof matches
Garbage bags
Sunglasses
Pocket knife
Rental key
Sleeping bags
Ax and shovel
First-aid kit
Sleeping pads
Full tank gas
Guidebook
Flashlight
Good tires
Area/topographic maps
Extra batteries and bulb
Spare tire
Sunburn protection
Clothing (dress for extremes)
Change tire kit
Hat
Whistle
Compass
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