Snowshoe Country
Since long before moving to Minnesota, I've been fascinated by winter camping.
Faced with the reality that I lack both the experience and the cold weather gear for such an endeavor; not to mention the strain that would put on my wife (six months pregnant with our first child), I settled on a better plan: renting a cabin.
After scanning online adds for over an hour and passing over scores of "cabins" that boasted such features as 70" televisions and high speed internet, I finally found exactly what I was looking for about thirty miles north of Two Harbors, MN. Run solely by its good-natured owner and his receptionist Willie (an aging golden retriever), Snowshoe Country Lodge was the perfect mix of civilized and rustic.
Although cell service was completely non-existent, according to a printed sign, there is free wifi if you are willing to stand in the cold over near the well-house.
The same well house includes a hand pump that supplies water for drinking as well as an old fashioned Finnish sauna.
Cabins
Every cabin is heated completely by wood-stove and includes woodsheds well stocked with pre-split firewood, as well as an enclosed privy nearby. Although lacking running water, the cabins do feature electricity, used for electric lights, a stove-top, a mini-fridge and an antique microwave. We declined to make use of the later two, as our Coleman cooler stayed cold throughout the weekend in the far corner away from the wood-stove which kept a pot of beef stew bubbling most of the day.
Activities
The resort includes access to roughly four odd miles of combined snowshoe and cross country ski trails, as well as a full rack of "extra" snowshoes for public use. Although not able to compare with the well groomed trails scattered about the Twin Cities for high speed Nordic skiing, there were enough trails to keep me busy for the weekend. I tried my hand at snowshoeing the first day, then retraced my route on skis the following day to take advantage of the packed snow.
We filled the long evening hours with a stack of hard covers from the Minneapolis Public Library (an unaccustomed luxury to an old backpacker like me).
If you are looking for a gentler approach to winter camping, or even just a great deal on a remote cabin, I whole-heartedly recommend the Snowshoe Country Lodge.
Remember to bring:
Faced with the reality that I lack both the experience and the cold weather gear for such an endeavor; not to mention the strain that would put on my wife (six months pregnant with our first child), I settled on a better plan: renting a cabin.
 |
| We chose "The French Canadian" |
After scanning online adds for over an hour and passing over scores of "cabins" that boasted such features as 70" televisions and high speed internet, I finally found exactly what I was looking for about thirty miles north of Two Harbors, MN. Run solely by its good-natured owner and his receptionist Willie (an aging golden retriever), Snowshoe Country Lodge was the perfect mix of civilized and rustic.
Although cell service was completely non-existent, according to a printed sign, there is free wifi if you are willing to stand in the cold over near the well-house.
The same well house includes a hand pump that supplies water for drinking as well as an old fashioned Finnish sauna.
Cabins
Every cabin is heated completely by wood-stove and includes woodsheds well stocked with pre-split firewood, as well as an enclosed privy nearby. Although lacking running water, the cabins do feature electricity, used for electric lights, a stove-top, a mini-fridge and an antique microwave. We declined to make use of the later two, as our Coleman cooler stayed cold throughout the weekend in the far corner away from the wood-stove which kept a pot of beef stew bubbling most of the day.
 |
| Base Camp |
The resort includes access to roughly four odd miles of combined snowshoe and cross country ski trails, as well as a full rack of "extra" snowshoes for public use. Although not able to compare with the well groomed trails scattered about the Twin Cities for high speed Nordic skiing, there were enough trails to keep me busy for the weekend. I tried my hand at snowshoeing the first day, then retraced my route on skis the following day to take advantage of the packed snow.
 |
| My wife, six months pregnant, surveys the distance we've come. |
We filled the long evening hours with a stack of hard covers from the Minneapolis Public Library (an unaccustomed luxury to an old backpacker like me).
If you are looking for a gentler approach to winter camping, or even just a great deal on a remote cabin, I whole-heartedly recommend the Snowshoe Country Lodge.
 |
| The view from our front door |
- Blankets
- More blankets (unless you enjoy getting up several times a night to re-stoke the fire)
- Winter boots (I made do with hiking boots and wool socks)
- Comfortable, warm, indoor clothing
- Snow gear (coats, mittens, etc.)
- Slippers for the cold floor
- Extra socks
- Food
- Cast Iron!
- Flashlights
- Matches
- Evening entertainment (books, board games, beverages)
Links:
Comments
Post a Comment