February 20, 2021 - A cabin in the woods

It looked like a February trip may not happen at all. Last month while sleeping in the tent, (something I am not used to doing since becoming a hammock camper a few years ago) I did something to my lower back. I remember when it happened, I rolled the wrong way and I immediately felt it, a sharp pain just above my tail bone. It didn't bother me too much at the time, I just had to be careful how I slept the rest of the night. The next morning I didn't think any more of it. But in the weeks following I could feel it more and more while at work. This injury along with a few other unrelated aches and pains was the driving factor for the destination choice this month.

This weekend we would be going to a hunting camp that Robert and I built with his Dad almost 30 years ago. I remember we started building it in the winter. With snow on the ground we pulled all the supplies in by toboggan, making the thousands of pounds of material much easier to transport than carrying it on our shoulders. Every time we made a trip in, we would take another small load.

We worked at it off and on throughout the spring and had it complete by summer. Since that time we have had to do a few rounds of maintenance including new supports, installing new tar paper on some of the walls where bears had dug at it, and put new shingles on the roof. All in all, while it may be a little rustic, it is still sturdy and will keep you warm and dry.

This trip would be myself, Melanie and Bear. We choose this location for February because it offered the potential for easy access and would hopefully be a little less demanding on the body. I say potential for easy access because there is an old woods road that will take us almost to the lake the camp sits on. The catch being we've had a lot of snow in the past few weeks, and the road was now covered by about twelve inches of the white stuff with unknown ice conditions under it. The tricky part is about one kilometer in on the three kilometer road is a fairly step hill that would be easy enough to get down, but maybe not so pleasant coming back up. We would decide on the way in if we should park the truck at the top of that hill and walk the rest of the way, or risk it.

Saturday morning we got our food for the day and packed our gear. On the plus side we would have lighter packs due to not needing a tent, bulky winter sleeping bags or extra warm clothes. On the down side, we might have to snowshoe a lot farther than either of us really wanted if we could not drive all the way to the lake.

I packed along a small sled and my chainsaw. The camp does not get used very often, so the wood supply only gets replenished as needed. Having stayed there last winter, I knew there was only enough dry hardwood left to last one more night if we were lucky. I would take the chainsaw with me and find a nice dead standing hardwood that could supply us with wood for the next while.

We actually scoped out some of this woods road a week ago. We were able to get in part way without too much difficulty but didn't go as far as the hill as I didn't think we would make it back up. Warmer temperatures and a day of rain have cut the snow down a bit making the road seem more manageable. As we passed the turnaround spot from a week before I didn't hesitate to make a go for it all the way in.

Hopefully breaking a trail down the hill will make the climb back up easier. Worst case scenario, we will be snowshoeing back out tomorrow. The snow actually seemed to be getting deeper the farther along we went. It was not until the last hundred yards that the truck didn't want to go any farther. I turned the truck around and backed in the rest of the way. A few runs at it and we are to the end of the road, with the lake in sight we would follow the shore to the cabin on the other end. We made it! We will worry about getting back out tomorrow. Luckily the forecast only calls for a dusting of snow overnight....

I didn't really expect to need snowshoes but I threw them in the truck anyway. Good thing as when we step out of the truck it is into a foot of snow. I bought the sled a couple years ago to use for winter camping, but a lack of snow has made it's use impractical until now, and I am in love with it! Even though I am only using it to carry the chainsaw it is super easy to pull. The pack would have gone in too if I had the room. Next gear purchase will be the bigger version of this sled. To my surprise there is only a dusting of snow on the lake. No need for snowshoes here, but they do make lake travel a little safer regardless. A bigger surface area means more stability and weight distribution over the frozen lake.

There is a trail going through the woods to the camp, but it is not in the best condition and is a little longer. Using the lake is a much easier way of travel in the winter. The journey along the shoreline is short. It is only a small lake, and within 10 minutes we round the last point and see the cabin sitting up off the bank on the hill.

The camp is about twelve by sixteen. There are two sets of bunks on one end, sleeping four people, and an old wood cook stove on the other. A small table, couple of chairs and a makeshift countertop is all this camp provides. There is room for a few people to be comfy, but I would really like to build a larger living space on the front with a few large windows overlooking the lake.

As suspected there is only a small amount of dry firewood stacked in the camp. First things first, find a dead standing hardwood and get to work. It doesn't take long to find a good candidate. Ten minutes of sawing gives us enough wood to last the next visitor a few cold nights. The sled makes transporting the wood back to the camp easy.

The old wood cook stove is in pretty rough shape but it still does the job. Maybe a little more stove pipe cement or high temperature silicone would do it well on the next visit to seal some bad cracks around the stove pipe. The biggest downside is it has a very small wood box that requires replenishing every hour to keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature. Once the new piece is built on, I think a better stove will be in order. The temperature will only drop to -5c tonight, so even if it is not kept full, it should stay above freezing inside the camp.

After only an hour or so, we have managed to bring the temperature inside the cabin to a balmy 20c. It has started snowing. Big fluffy flakes gently settling on the surroundings. With absolutely no wind, it is a beautiful picturesque sight. I am so glad we came here today. I don't think I have ever been disappointed with a trip here. It always seems to offer the most beautiful scenery one can find.

With our little getaway warmed up and our bellies grumbling, it is time to get cooking. We planned on bringing a couple bison steaks on this trip but our local grocer only had one steak left. So we scooped it up and decided to go with duck to complement it. I have never had duck before and was looking forward to trying it. Bison on the other hand I have had before, and I have to say it is some of the most delicious tender steak I have ever eaten. A quick sear in the frying pan and into the oven it goes to finish while we fry up the rest of our supper. Tonight that includes cubed potatoes, green pepper, onion, garlic and mushrooms. As always, this camp supper does not disappoint.

The rest of the evening is spent relaxing by the wood stove and contemplating the best way to add an addition to the camp. By bedtime we have a plan and are excited to begin executing it. Perhaps we will start bringing in materials before the lake thaws, to have ready for spring construction.

As expected, every hour or so I get up and fill the wood stove. The last time I remember filling it was a little after4am. I guess I must not have woken up after that. By 8am the temperature in the camp has dropped to around 5c. A bit chilly but still ten degrees warmer than outside. Melanie was out of bed first and loaded the fire back up. There are still enough coals to light up the fresh wood without any hassle.

When I get out of bed, I am once again mesmerized by the beauty this place offers up. An absolutely gorgeous morning with no wind and the sun shining strong in the blue sky over a fresh six inches of fluffy snow on the lake. The snowshoes will come in handy after all for the walk back.

Breakfast this morning will be quick and easy, and something else I have never tried, instant oatmeal. I know, how have I never had it before? After bringing a small amount of water to a boil I pour it right into the oatmeal pack let it hydrate, and try my first bite. I expected I would like it, and it didn't disappoint. What a great backpacking breakfast! Quick, easy and no dirty dishes to clean. This may be one of my go to breakfasts for when I want to break camp early and get back out on the trail during those multiday trips.

With only a small amount of gear, packing up is quick and easy. A final sweep of the camp and it's ready for the next adventurer. Snowshoes on, sled packed and we are on our way across the lake and back to the truck.

I did say earlier the forecast was only calling for a dusting of snow, but the camp is located at a higher elevation than where the forecast was for. There was only a dusting at home, but that extra six inches may be just enough to make the drive out more interesting than I am hoping for. The snow cover on the truck is confirmation we did indeed get a good snowfall. Our tracks from the day before are still visible but definitely filled in.

With the snow cleared off and the truck all ready in four wheel drive low we make our way to the great assent. I am able to get some pretty good speed at the bottom of the hill but about half way up the momentum is just not enough to carry us all the way to the top. I back down for another run and this time gain only another couple truck lengths. Another try and the same result. On about the fifth attempt we are able to break through the snow and overcome the steepest part of the hill. It is still slow going while we still climb the rest but we are making progress without having to stop. We soon come to the spot we had turned around the week before and from here we know we won't be snowshoeing out for help.

A cabin in the woods can be a great option to get out for a wintertime adventure. And the best thing about them is there are a surprising amount that are available for public use, taken care of by the people who use them or non-profit organizations. I am sure many of you know of someone who has a hunting camp somewhere who would be more than happy to share it for a weekend. Don't let lack of gear or the fear of asking deter you from the beauty this type of getaway can provide. In only the last four years, I have discovered four public use cabins, and have stayed at two of them. They are a great option in the pursuit of our Backcountry Evolution.