Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 54 IBEX CABIN North of Clyde Park, Cottonwood Road and its side roads wind back and forth amidst crop fields. Continue on the road system for about nine miles and you will reach a winter parking area that is 5.5 miles from Ibex Cabin. e area is surprising. Cropland turns to forest as the road leads deeper into the Crazy Mountain foothills and suddenly the mountains are upon you. Whether you continue to the cabin on ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile, be sure to pause on the rise and look back to the south, where on a clear day you might see all the way into Paradise Valley. e Ibex Cabin was built in 1939 and is a traditional USFS cabin. It is a one-room structure with a wood stove and little windows and a porch on the front. Bunkbeds will accommodate four. Rare wildlife abound. A variety of trails range from flat and wide to steep and narrow, for any kind of skier and some snowmobile rides, as well as access to backcountry skiing. Private land stretches directly south of the cabin, but to the east and north you will find access to Cottonwood Lake Trail, Trespass Creek Trail, Ibex Trail, and Porcupine Lowline Trail. is area can be windblown and access relies on snow conditions. Watch for drifts or mud. GARNET MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout sits at an elevation of 8,245 feet and provides a panoramic view of the Gallatin River Valley to the north, the Little Bear area to the north- east, the eastern Hyalite Ridge, Gallatin Peak and Table Mountain to the west, and the Gallatin Range to the south. As a fire lookout, Garnet Mountain offers a unique kind of cabin stay. Prepare for winter camping, as the structure has large glass windows and is very exposed. However, the morn- ing sunrise and the commanding views are reward enough for the adventurous sort. On a clear day or under a sky full of stars and the moon, who knows what you might see. From the Storm Castle winter trailhead you may travel on skis across the non-motorized Trail 85. e route is six miles long, with the last four climbing 2,500 feet. Alterna- tively, you may snowmobile to the Rat Lake Trailhead and continue on Trail 416 for a total of almost 13 miles before reaching the lookout. IF YOU GO A stay in any USFS cabin will be a rustic experience. ere usually isn't cell phone service and you should be prepared for a chilly walk to the outhouse. Be sure to bring your own bedding, flashlight, cookware, dish soap, matches, toilet paper, and first aid kit. You will also need to melt snow or bring your own source of water. Just like any trip to the mountains, be aware of what could go wrong and then prepare for it. Bring a copy of the com- bination to unlock the door and bring extra propane for the lantern. If you are staying in a cabin that is farther back, bring emergency items in case you have to spend the night outdoors. USFS cabins are all rented through an online reservation system and it is not uncommon for the most popular ones to be booked six months in advance. Rest assured, though, if you are willing for the adventure, there may be a hidden treasure that hasn't yet been reserved this winter. TO CHECK RESERVATIONS OR FIND OUT MORE ON A SPECIFIC CABIN ANYWHERE IN THE STATE, VISIT RECREATION.GOV. Avalanche advisories are available at mtavalanche.com or by calling 406-587-6981. DUTCH HUFF PHOTGRAPHY COURTESY OF USFS/CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST Winter fun at Battle Ridge cabin Ibex Cabin

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