Square Peg Ranch North Cabin

(27′ x 21′) completed in 1955

The North Cabin offers full kitchen facilities and a fireplace. The master bedroom downstairs has a queen size bed and there are two full size beds in the loft upstairs. Only available May trough September.
Occupancy up to 6 people, $100 + 7% tax ( for 4 people) a weeknight, add $20 for Friday and Saturday nights, $20 for each additional person and 3 nights minimum rental required! Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

one master bedroom (9’x 10′) with a queen bed and loft (11′ x 20′) with two double beds

“stuffed” easy chairs, couch and cocktail table

rock fireplace, screen and utensils

small tables, freestanding coat rack

propane lights and propane refrigerator

one Montgomery Ward wood cooking range and propane range for cooking and baking

kitchen table and two 4′ rustic, homestead benches

silverware, sharp knives, steel skillets, cast iron skillet, dishpans, coffee cups, large plates, drinking cups, small pots, coffee pot, cooking pots, cookie sheets, pie pans, shallow baking pans, hot pads

cold running water in summer (not potable – boil 5 minutes) Persons using the cabins do not have a safe drinking water supply available on premises; drinking water is available at the North Fork Hostel – ¾ mile (1.2 km) away. Containers must be brought with you to obtain safe drinking water at the North Fork Hostel.

solar shower during sunny days next to the Charlie Wise Homestead

stocked woodshed

log outhouse


For Your Information (North Cabin)

Water is not potable, please boil for five minutes- you also can get drinking water at the hostel. Dish washing:
wash (warm soapy water)
Rinse (cold water)
Sanitize (cold water + ½ cap bleach)
Please wash and put away all dishes.

Please do not leave water in pots during freezing weather. They will freeze and break. It is best to tell us if the propane refrigerator is acting up. They are tricky to deal with.

Regarding the damper in the fireplace: towards you is open; to back is closed.

Please replace firewood and kindling in the cabin for the next person.

How to light propane lights: please first light match or lighter and hold it near (touch with the flame and not the match) the mantle inside the glass bowl and than turn gas on. Mantels are fragile to touch. Do not turn gas on first. To extinguish, turn gas off.

Solar shower is located south of the South cabin. Use during warmth of day for best results.

If you need supplies for the outhouse or find any problems, please let us at the hostel know.

Pack in and Pack out!
Please take out all your garbage and trash! Do not leave any of it outside! This is grizzly country!

Note: Please leave the place like you found it, so we can maintain our low rates.
If the cabin requires cleaning after use or any trash needs to be removed we will charge you for the service.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Charlie Wise Homestead

The original Charlie Wise Homestead from circa 1918. Has it’s own kitchen facilities and fireplace, one master bedroom with a queen size bed and a full size bed and a hide-a-bed couch in the living room. The log outhouse was featured in a book of outhouses, as well as a magazine for Montana State University. Newspaper article about Charlie Wise are in picture frames on the wall of the homestead also called the South Cabin.
Occupancy up to 4 people, $100 + 7% tax ( for 2 people) a weeknight, add $20 for Friday and Saturday nights, $20 for each additional person and 3 nights minimum rental required! Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

one master bedroom with double bed and living room with antique, oak double bed from the 1800’s

and a hide-a-bed, that can be used in front of the fireplace
“stuffed” easy chairs, couch and cocktail table
wood heater dated 1898, rock fireplace


screen and utensils
small tables, freestanding coat rack
propane lights and propane refrigerator
one Irish, wood cooking range and propane range for cooking and baking

wooden kitchen table and chairs
silverware, sharp knives, steel skillets, cast iron skillets, dishpans, coffee cups, large plates, drinking cups, small pots, coffee pot, cooking pots, cookie sheets, pie pans, shallow baking pans, hot pads

cold running water in summer (not potable – boil 5 minutes) Persons using the cabins do not have a safe drinking water supply available on premises; drinking water is available at the North Fork Hostel – ¾ mile (1.2 km) away. Containers must be brought with you to obtain safe drinking water at the North Fork Hostel

solar shower during sunny days next to the log home

stocked woodshed

unique log outhouse


For Your Information (Charlie Wise Homestead)

Water is not potable, please boil for five minutes- you also can get drinking water at the hostel. Dish washing:
wash (warm soapy water)
Rinse (cold water)
Sanitize (cold water + ½ cap bleach)
Please wash and put away all dishes.

Please do not leave water in pots during freezing weather. They will freeze and break.

It is best to tell us if the propane refrigerator is acting up. They are tricky to deal with.

To light Kitchen Wood stove: After laying paper and kindling in cooking range, put lit piece of paper in little door at base of stovepipe, you will smoke yourself out.

To start fire in Wood stove open flap at air vent briefly, but after fire is going well, turn open draft about one turn at most. Never close air vent completely.

To set fire for the night or when it becomes too warm, open back draft on floor. It acts like a damper and slows down fire. Use clothes pins at bottom to keep back draft open.

Please replace firewood and kindling in the cabin for the next person.

How to light propane lights: please first light match or lighter and hold it near (touch with the flame and not the match) the mantle inside the glass bowl and than turn gas on, mantles are fragile. Do not turn gas on first. To extinguish, turn gas off.

Solar shower is located south of the South cabin. Use during warmth of day for best results.

If you need supplies for the outhouse or find any problems, please let us at the hostel know.

Pack in and Pack out!
Please take out all your garbage and trash! Do not leave any of it outside! This is grizzly country!

Note: Please leave the place like you found it, so we can maintain our low rates.
If the cabin requires cleaning after use or any trash needs to be removed we will share you for the service.

Thank you for your cooperation!

 

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activities

No matter what your activity, bring your camera and binoculars. Wildlife is plentiful here. You might see deer, moose, elk, mountain lions, wolves, eagles or bears from the hostel windows. Only wolverines have not been seen from the hostel windows yet.
Hike or backpack along Glacier’s Continental Divide or the forested trails of the Whitefish Range.
Ski Logan Pass in late June when Going-To-The-Sun Road opens. (Cross-country skis and boots may be rented at the hostel.
Bicycle up from West Glacier on the inside park road to the hostel, then explore Polebridge and the surrounding area.
Fish or swim the federally designated wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River or beautiful Kintla and Bowman Lakes.
Help with trail maintenance, go on a hike or attend one of the other activities sponsored by the North Fork Preservation Association.

How to use propane lights properly

How to light propane lamps: Please familiarize yourself with them first and ask for assistance if in doubt: First light match (make sure you have a solid and big flame) hold it to the mantle (make sure only the flame, not the match is touching the mantle) and turn gas on (lever/ knob on side of lamp) For your safety, do not turn gas on first and do not blow light out!

check in, check out

Check in between 5:30 PM and 9 PM

Make prior arrangements if you need a late check-in!

Check out before 10 AM

Please, leave room or cabin as you found it. Return pillowcases, etc. to hamper.

Electricity: We get our power from the sun but our system is fairly small. We encourage you to use the electric lights (especially until you get used to the  propane lights) and prefer it in the wash and shower room. Please, always turn all lights OFF after use. Charging power for your devices only works during the power hour. (check with Oliver, usually between 7 & 8 PM)
Shower hours: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 10 PM (Hot water not always available)  The shower has electric light, you find the switch to the left of the light fixtures above the sink.  Please conserve water: We are in a fragile environment: Low groundwater table & flood plains. So, limit your time and water use, be respectful to those after you and use squeegee after each use; Please keep shower door propped open so air can circulate. Shower for hostel guests only.
Kitchen hours: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 10 PM (Please, respect quiet times) Always clean up after yourself and be respectful to others; There is a guest refrigerator for your use. Please mark and date all your food. If you leave foodstuff behind date and mark “free” so it can be safely shared with other guests. Wash all your dishes, wipe counter and stove top immediately after use! Use blue tubs. Wash, Rinse, Sanitize. Help conserve water and energy!
Please recycle: Aluminum cans in blue recycle bin. Glass bottles in card board box, there is no glass recycling but it makes life easier as we have to haul all garbage to Columbia Falls; Egg shells (they compost better if burned) and paper in paper bag. Because this is bear country please no cooked or processed FOOD scraps in compost pail – only coffee, tea and raw, uncooked matters (in doubt throw in trash or ask Oliver).
How to light propane lamps: Please familiarize yourself with them first and ask for assistance if in doubt: First light match (make sure you have a solid and big flame) hold it to the mantle (make sure only the flame, not the match, is touching the mantle) and turn gas on (lever/ knob on side of lamp) For your safety, do not turn gas on first and do not blow out! Oliver loves to show you how to light the lamps safely!
Sheets and Towels are normally not provided but are available (Ask for help) for a fee! Always use bedding or sleeping bags! Pillow cases (No charge) are next to the kitchen in the Hallway; Please return pillow cases and sheets to hamper after use. Hang towels to dry.
Toilets are Outhouses! You find them in backyard, there is also a urinal! Only toilet paper and human waste goes down the hole! Absolutely no plastic or hygiene products in pit please, they belong in the trash! Keep lid closed to keep smell down and remember: Changing toilet paper rolls does not cause brain damage!

directions

The North Fork Hostel & Inn is located on the western edge of Glacier National Park, 1/4 mile (1/2 kilometer) southeast of the Polebridge Mercantile at the end of Beaver Drive (follow the signs). Taking Camas Creek Road through Glacier Park (except when the park is snowed in during the winter) avoids a rough section of the North Fork Road. The North Fork Road north from Columbia Falls to Polebridge is route 486, a gravel road with sections of pavement. In winter when coming from West Glacier, use Blankenship Bridge Road( call ahead for directions). It is a good idea to have tire chains with you in winter. Try to arrive during daytime to appreciate the views and to locate the North Fork Hostel & Inn easily.
The Square Peg Ranch is about 500 yards north of the Polebridge intersections on the left side, but stop at the hostel first and pick up your key.
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