Hogan Cabin

What a lovely cabin. Very small, but has everything you need. Lots of pots and pans (some pretty dirty though, but the pre people left a little whiskey, so all cool), and there were even gas lamps. Stayed for 2 nights and had a great time.

So unfortunately I couldn't make it all the way to the cabin due to the amount of snow on the final stretch. I was probably about 3-4 miles away from the cabin before I hit really thick snow on the dirt road. I have a Tacoma with off road tires and there was no way I would have made it.

A snowmobile would have made it but the road from that point on looked to have long stretches of snow then long stretches of dirt. I attempted to go in the back route, off go HWY 93. The road from there that takes you to the top of the mountain was clear and sunny the entire way up. Took about 40 minutes to reach the top and it was a beautiful drive. However once I got to the other side, ape 5 miles from the cabin, there was so much snow again.

I drove small patches of it and scouted it every time I made it about 100 ft. It got so thick I had to turn around. There was no sign of anyone that had been on either road. I turned around and then my truck sunk in the snow and I got stuck. Luckily I had a shovel and after about 20 minutes I was able to dig out. There was no way of getting any help if I hadn't gotten out.

I will say the area is beautiful but there was no way to get into the cabin. I have a lot of experience hiking Montana and that would still have been a long hike to get there. Mountain miles are far longer than street miles.

I would highly recommend not to book this cabin until mid to late June when the temps have risen. Most of those spots I mentioned do not get any sunlight therefore the snow is going to be there all of spring. A 4 wheeler may have a better chance but be sure it has a winch in case it too sinks in the snow.

I love how quiet it is at Hogan Cabin. The stars are phenomenal. The cabin is very small but heats up quickly with the wood stove. The outhouse was super clean and convenient. The cribbage board and cards and other supplies were a nice surprise. The trail in from Trail Creek is flat but very rutted from snowmachines and not recommended for beginner skiers. The easiest way would be through the Chief Joseph XC ski trails for beginners.

Cabin is spectacular, our favorite cabin of the year so far! The fence around it and the shed all help you really feel you are out at some 1890's homestead. Watching storms pass by all day and evening was amazing. Cabin is in good condition and the cook stove inside works fine. We didn't see a soul for 24 hours, was perfect!

Road conditions update: July 2020. Road to the cabin is passable. Pot holes are present but smooth rounded dirt edges and manageable. High clearance is recommended however you could make it in a 2 wheel drive passenger car if you are careful and know how to pick a line through rough spots. When I had my sedan I would have still attempted it and would just go slow. Could become an issue during wet weather. Watch your head going in and out, my buddy hit his head a few times so just make sure you duck. I had a good Stetson hat on so it warned me when I was about to bump my head.

Dead trees around can move and fall in the wind, suggested that people steer clear of dead trees when the wind picks up, fortunately, the cabin is a good distance away from any dead stands of lodgepole.

Road going in is extremely rough. High clearance 4x4 recommended.