Cabin Sweet Cabin LbNA #16891

CABIN SWEET CABIN



It was the spring of 76’, way up in the high and lonesome. 12,000’+ was where I wanted to be, up with the mountain goats & cougars. I never complained, the air was fresh & the nights were cool. Those mountains are a gift, always refreshing the soul with a perspective one can only find where the pines end and heaven begins.
It was a beautiful morning as the sun rose over Santa Fe Peak, Montezuma waking slowly in the valley below. I was adventuring high atop the ridges, by myself of course. The air so crisp you could feel every labored breath. Ain’t much air pressure up there but my 19yr old lungs seemed to keep me chugging along without too much trouble. I had found many a treasure that a.m., old cabins & mine shafts that went on forever. As the morning faded the cotton ball clouds seemed to grow. With all high country climbs, a real threat to life and limb is bolts from the sky & this day was no different. I was scrambling to find cover but tree line was still well below me. As I topped a ridge, losing elevation with each step, there she was a gift from above. Or should I say from below, a Cabin – lonely, isolated “Cabin Sweet Cabin”. Man was I glad to see that place! The rain was falling, lightning cracking & thunder rolling as I stepped inside. WOW what a find! 11,000’ above sea level and another 500’ above the valley floor below. I was looking down & up on a beautiful sight. Teller Mountain across the way, Webster Pass road below & views what views. I sat there for hours just taking in the sights, thankful for a roof over my head.
From that rainy May day in 76’ the quest began. I needed a place to live while working @ Keystone and this was it. People thought I was crazy and maybe I was and still am but what a wonderful place. The trek twice a day, sometimes with a pack, other times with supplies. Stores gave me a true appreciation for convenience. It was a hardship at times but what worthwhile isn’t? Over the years the Cabin evolved into a getaway, hideaway and just plain home. Many a winter night others and I enjoyed the solitude and braved that most ominous avalanche chute to ski untracked powder and listen/watch the thundersnow.
Cold, cold, cold were the mornings until some brave soul threw a match in that ole wood burner soon to be glowing red. A million stars are there at night for the viewing, Gods country for sure.
It now stands neglected and abandoned but not out for the count. Flamingo & I make it back each year, just to sit, enjoy and wonder at the grandeur of it all. . If you decide to make the trek, look past the obvious and imagine what it once was.

Take I-70 to the Silverthorne Exit. (Silverthorne/Dillon) Go East on Hwy 6 towards Loveland Pass. Head up the hill (Lake Dillon will be on your right). Go through Keystone. Follow the signs for Montezuma Road (veer right). If coming from Loveland Pass, make a U-turn at the Keystone ski area. After veering right, go straight through stop sign—stop first!! You should be about 7 miles from exit off I-70. You will be on Montezuma Rd. Go approximately 4.1 miles following the Snake River on your right. You will come to the Western Sky B&B on your right and you will cross the river. Continue on the paved road until you get to the booming metropolis town of Montezuma. It will turn into a dirt road. Please obey the posted speed limit, people have been known to be shot—believe me. Continue on the dirt road. Climbing up 10,000 feet in elevation. Drive until you come to a sign that reads Deer Creek/Webster Pass (at approx. 6 miles once you have turned on to Montezuma Rd) Turn left on to dirt road, this is Webster Pass Rd and the sign is missing. From this point, clear your odometer. Drive .5 miles. As stated, this is a dirt road—leave the Lexus at home! A 4WD is not necessary but it is a rough road. The road is closed during the winter. Continue on this road through the gate, which is at .6 miles. Pull off to park on the right just before the big rockslide on your left. Walk up to the rockslide area—just after it begins (on your left facing North). Look up the hill just under the last set of trees (just below treeline). You will see “Cabin Sweet Cabin”—your final destination. You can either climb up the rockslide or up the little road to the left. The road isn’t very long and you will have to bushwhack up through bushes and trees. The rockslide looks tricky but it is pretty easy to climb. Whichever way you ascend, you need to end up in the ravine with a creek to the right of the cabin. At the same elevation as the cabin, there is a trail that will take you to the cabin. Once you have made it, check it out, sit down on a log and enjoy the view. Stand facing the cabin. Go to the back left corner of the cabin (outside). The LB is hidden under a bunch of rocks. When you head down, there is a small trail off to the right of the cabin—if facing the bottom of the hill—there’s a couple switchbacks and then the trail ends. We usually bushwhack down after that just for a different route.
If you want to know what you are looking at up here—to the South is Webster Pass Road to 285 to Denver. The far peak off to the left is Webster Pass. Straight-ahead is Teller Mountain 12,000’. The valley to the right of Teller Mt is Deer Valley—which takes you to Breckenridge. The cabin sits on the side of Santa Fe Peak 13, 180.

The hike is 2/10 of a mile. Starting at 10,900’ ending at 11,300’. It took us 12 minutes of hiking and 38 minutes of resting. You should be able to do it quicker than us because we had already hiked about 6 ½ hours the day the LB was placed. We hope you enjoy this hike and these wonderful views. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars. This is not for the faint at heart. It is up at altitude so bring lots of water. It is an exposed area so watch out for thunder and lightning storms. This is not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Dogs and children should be able to achieve this—keep in mind the altitude.