This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As we approached the Singletree Campground on the Boulder Mountain last week, the rain was coming down so hard that there was no way we would even think about setting up.
So we drove up Highway 12 a bit and noticed that the historic Wildcat Guard Station was open. I had remembered that this small, white log building that was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps was nearby and wondered if it was open.
The little building, operated by two wonderful couples who volunteer their time each summer, was indeed open. It serves as a seasonal visitor center where maps, information, books and souvenirs are available. There are also a shaded picnic area and rest rooms.
Trying to beat the rain and hail, three of my grandchildren and my daughter-in-law raced inside.
There, greeted by the Harmons, we discovered a building filled with little treasures, including a wood-fired cooking stove and oven where hot, fresh biscuits and muffins are made every morning and some vintage Coleman lanterns
The first thing the grandkids were told to do was to head to an area designed especially for children. Given bags, they were invited to take free coloring books, crayons, pencils and pencil sharpeners provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
The kids, who had been confined to the car for about three hours, happily examined their new treasures while the Harmons, veteran volunteers from Richfield, told us a little bit about the history of the area.
We took time to look at an interesting collection of books and souvenirs that were for sale. A shirt with the the words "may the forest be with you" caught my eye. There is nothing I like more than a good pun.
I asked about fishing nearby Lower Bowns Reservoir, and was told it was fair. You got the impression that there wasn't much this couple didn't know about the forest, making this an ideal place to visit.
A few days later, I was driving with my 17-year-old granddaughter Lindon and we stopped again. While I chatted with a delightful couple from Orlando, Fla., who volunteer along with the Harmons, a fascinated Lindon thumbed through a book with all sorts of information on the forest.
The couple showed off a few of the historic items inside the ranger station and found an old column I had written years ago about the couple that had originally volunteered there.
This is a small place. But the warmth of the hosts coupled with the history and all sorts of literature and information on not only the Boulder Mountain but all of Highway 12 make it a wonderful place to stop.
One small caution. The guard station is totally off the grid, so it only takes cash or a check if you want to buy a book or souvenir.
I can all but guarantee that the volunteers will have the answer to your question and may surprise you with some new factoid.