The Stone Cabin is no longer safe to use. Please do not enter it.
These guidelines are from years ago.
The Stone Cabin at SAWUURA is a single-room cabin located atop the hill to the Northwest of the windmill. The cabin is available for use by SAWUURA members and their guests. SAWUURA, as an all volunteer organization, does not and cannot maintain the sanitary condition of the cabin. All campers at SAWUURA are expected to follow the General Use Policies at all times. The stone cabin is reserved as community space during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend camps, it may not be used as a personal space during those events.
These suggestions are offered to make your use of the cabin as safe and pleasant as possible.
Location
The cabin is approximately 660 feet from the road. Parking is on the North side of the road in the clearing immediately west of the windmill. The trail to the cabin involves a 50 ft increase in elevation. Users of the cabin are well advised to minimize personal belongings as everything carried up to the cabin must be removed when you leave.
Opening the cabin
Because of the possibility of exposure to hanta virus from rodents, persons staying in the cabin should follow these Public Health guidelines for cleaning before use.
- Use a breathing mask (in trash can) to minimize exposure to dust.
- Open all doors and windows.
- Spray dust and rodent feces with chlorine bleach (in trash can). Leave the spray bottle empty when finished.
- Sweep the cabin with doors and windows open before and after use.
- Allow the cabin to air out for 15 minutes before reentering.
- Sweep the cabin with doors and windows open again when leaving.
There is a large metal trash can and some small tins containing household items. Replace the items and seal the cans when leaving. Do not use Coleman type (gas burning) lanterns or stoves in the cabin to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Toilet
There is a small pit toilet east of the gate in the fence about 50 ft.
Sleeping
There is a bed platform raised from the floor sufficient for 2 people to sleep on, approximately double bed size. You will need a sleeping pad or inflatable mattress and a sleeping bag.
Wood stove and fire
The wood burning stove has characteristics which need be recognized to have a safe fire. The stove is not designed to be filled with wood. Three large (4-5 inch diameter) or four small (2-3 inch diameter) logs is the maximum fill. There is a damper handle on the stove pipe. It is open when parallel to the pipe and closed when perpendicular. It needs to be open when lighting the fire. Do not fill the stove more than 1/4 full with paper and kindling (finger sized wood) when starting the fire. Light the paper and close the stove door immediately. The small openings at the base of the door should be open enough to provide airflow. The small openings at the base of the door should be open enough to provide airflow. The openings can be dampened down a small amount if the stove puts off smoke. (A small amount of smoke from the stove is normal during the first minute of the fire.)
The damper can be closed down when putting a last log for the evening to “dampen” the fire, make it burn more slowly by reducing the air
flow. Allow enough time for the fire to burn itself out when preparing to leave. Do not put water in the stove to extinguish the fire. Use the small shovel to remove hot coals to the small metal trash can and leave the can covered on the stone floor, not outside.
The fire should be dead out whenever you leave the cabin.
Kitchen
There are 2 cook pots and 3 frying pans at the cabin as well as silverware and cups for 4 people. A can opener, large ladle, large fork and grater are also at the cabin. These items are stored in the sealed tins and are to be replaced clean when closing the cabin.
A sink is in place with a counter top outside the cabin. It is advised to bring a camp stove to cook with. Gas burning stoves should only be used at the counter outside the cabin to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. The wood stove can be used for cooking. The decorative top may be removed to expose the flat surface and 2 cook holes with covers. Water will simmer on the flat surface in about 1/2 hour with a steady fire going. To have a higher heat for tasks such as frying eggs, remove a circular cover and place the pan or pot over the opening. Bottoms of cookware used this way will become very sooty.
Closing the cabin
The cabin must be left clean tominimize attraction of animals.
- Leave no food crumbs or trash.
- Put rugs and household items away in the metal trash can.
- Use a breathing mask (in trash can) to minimize exposure to dust.
- Open all doors and windows.
- Spray dust and rodent feces with chlorine bleach (in trash can). Leave the spray bottle empty when finished.
- Sweep the cabin with doors and windows open before and after use.
- Allow the cabin to air out for 15 minutes before reentering.
- Place the tables on their sides. Fold chairs against the wall.
What to bring:
You will want to bring camping gear and clothing appropriate to a backpacking weekend or a very minimalist car camp. Here are some additional items you will want to bring that will be very helpful for your stay.
- paper towels
- flashlight or battery operated lantern (no gas powered lanterns)