Strawberry Cabin

I got dumped

I got dumped

We visited this cabin on New Year's Eve. Over a foot of fresh snow had fallen in Bozeman that week, so we figured we were in for a lot of snow. We were able to drive right to the locked gate in a truck with no trouble at all. The snow was pretty deep, but a forest service truck had come that morning and left treads that we could follow. We did snowshoe on the way up but ended up just hiking the way down, sticking to the tire treads.

It was freezing at the top- around -14 degrees when the sun went down- and it did take a couple of hours for the stove to warm up the cabin. Once it did, it was of course boiling hot all night (tends to be the case with these!) so I suggest wearing layers :)

This cabin is adorable and very well-equipped; it's not one of those where there is a single pot and nothing else. Some silverware and tableware, a box of games for kids, a couple of books, and plenty of wood. The privy was very clean.

We visited this cabin on New Year's Eve. Over a foot of fresh snow had fallen in Bozeman that week, so we figured we were in for a lot of snow. We were able to drive right to the locked gate in a truck with no trouble at all. The snow was pretty deep, but a forest service truck had come that morning and left treads that we could follow. We did snowshoe on the way up but ended up just hiking the way down, sticking to the tire treads.

It was freezing at the top- around -14 degrees when the sun went down- and it did take a couple of hours for the stove to warm up the cabin. Once it did, it was of course boiling hot all night (tends to be the case with these!) so I suggest wearing layers :)

This cabin is adorable and very well-equipped; it's not one of those where there is a single pot and nothing else. Some silverware and tableware, a box of games for kids, a couple of books, and plenty of wood. The privy was very clean.

Great cabin! Had a beautiful view of the area, cabin had plenty of cooking supplies. There was not enough snow to ski in the whole road, but we managed alright!

Great cabin! Had a beautiful view of the area, cabin had plenty of cooking supplies. There was not enough snow to ski in the whole road, but we managed alright!

The cabin may look a bit stark until you open up the shutters and kick back, but once you're there, it is a warm and inviting place. I was very glad that I rented it before the road opens up to drive to the top, as this area is a popular destination for people to drive to in the summertime. Don't expect any privacy during the summer months. In the winter months, the short mile climb up the last bit of road will get you peace and solitude (mostly). Note that you are still near enough to Helena to see the city lights at night and faintly hear some of the noise of urbanization, but it's never enough to be obnoxious or jarring. I didn't have any mouse/rat problems whatsoever and the cabin appeared to be well sealed, but some people have noted some mouse/rat issues in the past year. Keep the place clean and your food sealed up in hard containers, just to be safe. The only downside about the place is that you really don't have much of a view from the top, as it is treed in. The lookout tower next to the cabin gets above the trees, but the stairs up the tower are locked and inaccessible above the 20 ft level. It would be nice if the cabin also provided the renter with a key to go up to the lookout tower.

The cabin may look a bit stark until you open up the shutters and kick back, but once you're there, it is a warm and inviting place. I was very glad that I rented it before the road opens up to drive to the top, as this area is a popular destination for people to drive to in the summertime. Don't expect any privacy during the summer months. In the winter months, the short mile climb up the last bit of road will get you peace and solitude (mostly). Note that you are still near enough to Helena to see the city lights at night and faintly hear some of the noise of urbanization, but it's never enough to be obnoxious or jarring. I didn't have any mouse/rat problems whatsoever and the cabin appeared to be well sealed, but some people have noted some mouse/rat issues in the past year. Keep the place clean and your food sealed up in hard containers, just to be safe. The only downside about the place is that you really don't have much of a view from the top, as it is treed in. The lookout tower next to the cabin gets above the trees, but the stairs up the tower are locked and inaccessible above the 20 ft level. It would be nice if the cabin also provided the renter with a key to go up to the lookout tower.

Beautiful and secluded, some great hikes a short drive away, but expect visitors in side by sides or 4x4s skidding to a stop after speeding around that last corner to see a family and dogs enjoying the woods. The only turn around is between cabin and fire pit, so its only momentary blindness as their headlights blare (yeah they show up in the dark, I'm sure they're sober) while they execute a messy three point turn and drive out if you're lucky.

Beautiful and secluded, some great hikes a short drive away, but expect visitors in side by sides or 4x4s skidding to a stop after speeding around that last corner to see a family and dogs enjoying the woods. The only turn around is between cabin and fire pit, so its only momentary blindness as their headlights blare (yeah they show up in the dark, I'm sure they're sober) while they execute a messy three point turn and drive out if you're lucky.