December 3, 2014. Around 1:30 in the afternoon, about 24 degrees. We’re at the May Creek trailhead near Wisdom, Montana, ready to head out to the May Creek Forest Service Cabin that we’ve rented for a two-night stay.
My pack is not too heavy, it’s not too cold, and the snow is perfect. I’m happy and rarin’ to go.
Actually, we both are.
The trail to the cabin follows May Creek for about 2 1/2 miles. Because it stays close to the creek it’s a nice gentle grade, and snowmobiles are prohibited so you’re guaranteed some quiet. (Of course, that also means that there’s a good chance you’ll need to break trail if there’s a lot of snow. But since that would be Bill’s job, I’m OK with it!)
We followed elk tracks the whole way, as well as a coyote, but they stayed hidden. We were lucky enough to spook up a Barred Owl, who was obliging enough to just fly a few feet from the trail, where he calmly sat and watched us.
I only tipped over once, but believe me, once I’m down with a heavy pack on my back, I’m pretty much down for the count. I definitely needed a helping hand to get up:
I’m surprised I didn’t pull him over too!
The cabin is on the edge of the trees, with a nice big window that overlooks a wide meadow.
Of course, it takes a while for the stove to heat things up, but there was a more than ample supply of wood and kindling, and once the stove was going we were toasty the whole time.
There was even a string of battery powered Christmas lights!
The next day turned out to be too warm for skiing; we gave it a try, but we were sticking like crazy. It was like walking on platform shoes. We ended up postholing around the meadow and down the trail, enjoying the big, wet snowflakes.
I tried my hand at drawing the owl,
I thought it was a Great Gray until I got home and looked him up in the bird book.
we played Scrabble and Solitaire,
and made a dandy Fajita dinner.
The moon came out briefly that night, begging for a howling wolf. The wolf, however, did not oblige.
Cheers to you, May Creek Cabin!
Off the Beaten Path: Hikes, Backpacks, and Travels 
I can feel the wonderful solitude of your getaway. I really enjoyed your pictures.
Thanks. The solitude is one of the best parts of these trips.
What a fantastic trip! The cabin looks so cozy, and I love that you had to ski in.
It was a wonderfully cozy and sweet cabin. And the not-too-long ski was nice too!
How wonderful to be able to enjoy Nature’s wonders! Thanks for the post! 🙂
I am thankful to be able to keep enjoying nature. Thanks for checking it out.
This post brought back some happy memories for me….(a different cabin-near Bozeman) but the same feeling. I love that part of Montana….. The Pintlers and the Pioneer mountain ranges…. I sure do enjoy your blog! Maureen
Glad it brought back some nice memories. Nice to find your blog, as well!
Looks like a wonderful escape…what a wonderful pace, falling in with natures rythm.
It is, indeed, a great place to get in step with nature. Thanks.
Felt like I was there with you. Thanks for sharing.
🙂 Thank you.
Great post. The picture of the fireplace really brought me into the log cabin mindset.
Nice – thanks!
I am so looking forward to getting on the skis. Not enough snow here in Wisconsin…or at least what we have is too wet and sticky. Thanks for sharing!
Winter is enjoyable once there’s some decent snow, isn’t it? It just never seems to stay for long – last week it melted and now it’s turned to ice. Writing posts about when it’s good seems to make it last longer!
What a wonderful weekend. So different to what I might be doing here in Australia.
I imagine so! Love thinking about the contrast.
Oh what a wonderful trip. I also like the added touch of the snow flake falling across my computer screen as I was reading. Nice.
I like that too! Thanks.
What a wonderful retreat!
I agree! Thanks.
Heaven! The cabin looks so warm and snug inside and out, and the surrounding snowscape is just beautiful. Love the owl photos — and that’s quite a nice drawing too. I especially admire your presence of mind, or maybe your priorities: fall down on skis with a pack on your back — but don’t forget the camera! 🙂
Ha! I was wondering if anyone would notice that. I fell down because I was fiddling around trying to put the camera back on my backpack strap, so I thought I might as well use it. Thanks for the nice comment.
Makes me miss skiing, and skiing to a nice cabin is the best!
I agree! Actually, it’s time to plan another trip, I think.
Beautiful. 🙂
Thanks!
That looked like great fun!
Great fun for sure. I’m ready for another visit!
We just returned from our 10th year at May Creek. What a lovely spot! And yes, we left the “festive lights” a few years back.
Cheers!
That’s cool. I want to go again this year…need to see if we can find an open slot!