Moose Creek Cabin fatbike overnighter...in May!

Conditions were great in early May for a fatbiking overnighter into the Moose Creek Cabin. Lots of snow, temps were getting into the 40s and 50s but still below freezing at night, so the trails were solid earlier in the day. The trail to Moose Creek doesn't cross any streams, so no big overflow to worry about. 

Corrine checked on the cabin early in the week and found it was free Saturday. We made plans and packed up. We knew we had to be on the trail early both days or else suffer from too-soft snow in the afternoons (and rut up the trail for others).

It worked great! The first part of the Wickersham Creek Trail was a bit rough from people using it later in the day when the snow was soft. But after a couple of miles it got much better. The crusty snow around us tempted a ride through the trees, but we wanted to get to the cabin early. And we were a little leery of breaking through with our fully loaded bikes. We did do a little crust riding to get a view from Four-Mile Hill, but that was about it.

The trail out to the cabin had some challenging parts, but it was all rideable. We got to the cabin, in about three hours. We started a fire, and collected snow and more firewood. The great thing was that when we were done with all that, the sun was still shining down gloriously! We've been to Moose Creek Cabin several times in the winter, but we've never been there with the sun so high in the sky! We took turns hanging out on the porch to read or do puzzles. The thermometer was reading 70 degrees in the reflected heat. Eventually, the porch was shaded and cool, so inside was the more comfortable place to be.

We got an early start the next morning. The trail was a bit more challenging this time. A couple of  snowmachiners from the previous afternoon had chewed up the soft snow on the trail a bit, but it was still rideable. (And no complaints, since snowmachine traffic is mostly what packs these trails for other uses.)

We rode out, meeting several other fatbikers closer to the trailhead as they headed out for the day. The day previously we met several other fatbikers out early, most of them we knew.

At the car Corrine traded her fatbike for her gravel bike (stored in the car) and rode back home in order to get a longer training ride it. (She's still hoping to do either or both the Trans-South Dakota bikepacking race or the 350-mile DKXL gravel bike race, pandemic willing.)

I was content to drive the car back and get some work done at home. Very nice weekend!

An early start but still with lots of sunshine!

Corrine enjoying some nice trail about 3 miles in.

Eric enjoying the view of the Whites from atop Four-Mile Hill.

The descent past Lee's Cabin. Corrine is a speck down there!

Peter Delamere was one of several fatbikers we knew out on the trails Saturday morning. Peter said he gingerly played around on the crust a bit. 

The Moose Creek Cabin! And our bikes, waiting to be unpacked. 

Corrine collected snow to melt for water, but she found the crust was deteriorating in the sun.

Corrine reads on the front porch of the cabin. Notice that she has to shade her eyes. 

The view from the cabin with pussy willows and a crossbill. I think it was a crossbill. Didn't think to bring binocs. (You never bring binocs in the winter!) 

The sun setting at almost 10:30 p.m.

Tom Moran (and Jay Cable) were heading out Sunday morning. They planned a bike-packraft-bike trip, but bailed because the trail was too slow. They ended up staying at Moose Creek Cabin after us. Jay booked it online from the cabin! 

Corrine mostly enjoyed her long road bike ride home. Strong side winds made things a bit hairy for a while. 

The ride out to the cabin. Back to the cabin is just the reverse.