The Forest Service is looking for winter recreation enthusiasts to volunteer at the Gordon Reese Cabin located at the Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski area this winter. The cabin is located approximately ½ mile from the Chief Joseph Pass parking area/trailhead on Montana State Highway 43, 10 miles south of Sula, MT and 25 miles west of Wisdom, MT. Volunteers are welcome to assist in maintaining this popular facility throughout the winter season.
Each Tuesday and Friday during the ski season is set aside for volunteers to serve as Forest Service cabin hosts, helping maintain the cabin and trailhead facilities during the day and staying overnight for free.
It is not necessary for volunteers to stay in the cabin through the entire day. Volunteers and their guests are encouraged to enjoy and explore the trails and surrounding winterscape. The Forest Service asks that volunteers occasionally return to the cabin to tend the woodstove fire, ensure snow is melting for hot water, and make the cabin clean and comfortable for visitors to use as a warming shelter during the day.
General volunteer host duties include: meeting and greeting the public; answering visitor questions; shoveling paths leading to both outhouses at the cabin and the trailhead; clearing snow from the deck and doors; stocking and cleaning the cabin and both outhouses; restocking firewood from the basement to the main floor and tending the woodstove fire.
To volunteer at the Gordon Reese Cabin, call the Wisdom Ranger District office at (406) 689-3371 beginning Monday, November 1, 2021 at 8 a.m. MST. Due to the popularity of the cabin volunteer program, this will be the only phone number available for volunteers to sign-up.
The Gordon Reese Cabin is available to the general public to rent from December 1 through April 15. Reservations are $10 per day and can be made on-line beginning Monday, November 1, 2021 at 8 a.m. MST at
www.recreation.gov, or by calling (877) 444-6777. Cancellations are also handled through
www.recreation.gov. However, due to the popularity of renting the cabin, last minute reservations and cancellations may be filled by contacting the Wisdom Ranger District office at (406) 689-3243.
