Brainard Cabin is a rustic and historical place located in the Brainard Lake recreation area.

The cabin is a popular place in winter; ski or snowshoe, grab a cup of cocoa and continue the jaunt for the day.

Typically, volunteers will hots the cabin for the weekend. Stoke the fire, make sure there is plenty of hot water for day users, and enjoy the cabin for themselves overnight.
 

Brainard Cabin (from a previous outing)

On the weekend of February 2nd and 3rd, I had the pleasure of staying in the cabin for a weekend.

My friend Wendy and I skied up later in the morning. I am never on a trailhead that late (11am). Brainard Lake at the hour was a madhouse. I must confess to getting frustrated; people were rude, cutting me off, not letting people back out of spots or turning around. My hands were flying and choice epithets from my Catholic school background (Jesus Christ!

Continue reading Rocky Mountain Get-away at PMags.com.

Over the past four months, I have worked sporadically. Been pretty much a cross-country ski bum. Any chance I had to go mid-week skiing, I'd go! Many of the times I've been skiing has been with my friend Terry. He not only picked me up at Antelope Wells when I finished the CDT this past year, but he also is about to start his own CDT journey in a short while.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Starting on March 5th, I start an honest-to-goodness long term contract job. I am being a responsible citizen; complete with business casual attire of Dockers, button down shirt and my mandatory coffee mug. Who needs to watch Office Space? I'm about to live it. 🙂

What better way to end my ski bum ways than to one last mid-week ski tour?

I met Terry at our usual meeting spot. We loaded up his 4WD vehicle on a snowy day and drove up to the Brainard Lake trail head.

Continue reading CMC Ski Trail, Brainard Lake at PMags.com.