*New* Lower Angel Creek Cabin trip

This time last year we had just returned from a trip to the Lower Angel Creek cabin with Grandma. Here's a photo of us and the cabin from that trip, which turns out to be one of the last photos ever taken of the cabin because several weeks later it was accidentally burned to the ground. A little sad, but like the northern region superintendent for Alaska State Parks put it, "Of all the cabins out there, if I had to burn one down, that's the one I would have burned." Harsh, but true.

So this year, when the new replacement cabin was available for reservations we got online and got in line to check it out. We had a reservation for the day after Christmas, for which temperatures were forecast to be -20 to -30F. Not ideal for the 2 hour ski in with Kieran, but we remained hopeful. As the day approached the cold front was delayed and delayed again. On the morning of the 26th temps were only -10 at the house so we decided to go for it. Not too fast though, because Max also had a plan that day to ski his age in kilometers at Birch Hill...50 km later (no, he couldn't stop at 40km), past dark and almost dinner time, Max came home and we loaded up the car and the kid and drove to the trail head. Kieran was a brave little trooper, enduring blowing snow and gusting winds in the parking lot as we got the gear and his Chariot in order for the ski in. Once we got him bundled up and tucked into his cozy ride he was cheerful and excited to get moving. The ski in was lovely, not too cold with clear skies and a perfect trail. I could here Kieran behind me chatting to himself and quietly singing Christmas carols.

We arrived at the dark cabin, which was colder inside than out, at about 9pm. Max got a fire going and it didn't take long to get a hot dinner into us. It was far past bedtime but Kieran, too excited to close his eyes, chatted in the dark until after midnight.

In the morning, after a sleep-in and hot breakfast Kieran was excited to get out and try his new ski poles that Santa left under the tree for him.

And we had our first chance to really check out the new cabin. It's much bigger than the old one and in a much more attractive location. It has a great deck that is really going to be appreciated during warmer months.

It was just a little colder the next morning but the cold front still hadn't materialized.

We went to see the old cabin site. Nothing there but an undisturbed snowy clearing...and an outhouse.

Ski poles!

He's been wanting to be able to do this for a long time...release his ski bindings with his ski pole tips instead of his thumbs.

Sunrise.

Max found a pair of dog booties on the trail. Kieran tested them out. Woof.

When he was a boy again he helped stock the cabin for the next visitors.

Here's a look at the back room. It's a big space, great for spreading out and larger groups but harder to heat. Our three bodies didn't do much to fill, or warm it up.

Packed up, cleaned up and ready to hit the trail.

This is a great way to keep a little body warm!

He really snuggles in there!

On the trail back out. We had just met the couple that would occupy the cabin for the next three nights and Kieran, not wanting to be unsocial, peeled back his windscreen to say hi (mostly to their dog, I think). We made it back to the car and went home. That night temps were close to 30 below...sometimes things just work out.