Cabin in the Canadian Rockies

In early June 2024, I spent six nights backpacking through the southern Canadian Rockies. It was very early in the season, and I quickly realized the trip wasn’t going to be easy when I saw that the mountains were still completely covered in snow. So I packed my snowshoes and set out on what turned out to be one of my favorite backpacking trips ever.

At times, the conditions were quite brutal, with deep snow and the occasional snowstorm. But a few nights into the trip, I came across this cabin in a remote meadow, at least a brutal 20-mile walk from the nearest road.

The cabin is privately owned but located inside a provincial park, and outside of hunting season it is opened up for hikers to use. I gratefully made use of it. Inside was the perfect amount of luxury: firewood, a large stove, a simple bunk bed, and a table.

Because bad weather was moving in the next day and I still had to continue the route, I left very early the following morning. But somehow the trip didn’t feel complete afterward. For the rest of the hike, I kept thinking back to this cabin.

So after finishing the trip, I gathered new supplies in Calgary and headed back out for two more nights there. I bushwhacked nearly 20 miles, crossed an icy creek at least two dozen times in just above freezing temperatures, and eventually made it back to this wonderful place.

There, I spent two nights surrounded by complete silence and tranquility. No wind, no sounds, and no cell reception. I think I’ve rarely been as bored as I was during that full day out there - and I absolutely loved it.

Every now and then, it’s important to simply do nothing.

To this day, I still think this is one of the most wonderful places I’ve ever stayed.