What a beautiful place! We were very lucky to get good weather - relatively low winds and high clouds. The road up is, for the most part, in good shape, just some erosion at the end near the gate. We parked there and hiked the ~1.2 miles up to the lookout. Definitely tough at that altitude but no snow fortunately. There were some early wildflowers along the way - phlox, paintbrush and balsam root. The cabin has seen better days but the mice problem was the dealbreaker, especially the log book entries describing them chewing through food bags and backpacks and running over people while they're sleeping. We spent the day at the cabin but left just before sunset.

Expect to spend a couple hours a day splitting huge rounds of firewood with a huge axe maul. Not for the weak or dainty. If you don't have wood that will fit in the woodstove, the wood splitting and hauling will keep you warm.

The hike to the lookout in winter will challenge you! Be prepared with snowshoes/poles and it's a good idea to have a mapping app to assist you to stay in trail (especially important as you get closer/above the treeline or end up in white out/no visibility)! The lookout was such a welcomed refuge after getting through the blizzard conditions! Warmed rapidly with the wood stove, windows held, even through some intense wind! Will be back, really great experience.