Shuffling Along the Continental Divide

Our first ski trip together -- up to cross-country grounds at Chief Joseph Pass, south of Hamilton, Mt., and near the Idaho border -- takes us to a gorgeous trail on the Continental Divide.

I have to admit that getting onto cross-country skis for the first time in 20 years is a bit daunting, especially at 17 degrees and 7,264 feet.

Me, shuffling along the Continental Divide Trail.

But whew! We get to the warming hut -- called the Gordon Reese Cabin and maintained by volunteers plus U.S. Forest Service crews -- just in time for our own packed lunch.

Kitchen at Gordon Reese. No cooked food for us. We snack on our own crackers, cheese, nuts and chocolate. After a morning on the trail, it's absolutely delicious!

The warming room and dining area couldn't be more welcoming. There's even a place by the stove to clothespin our wet socks and gloves.

Volunteer overnight "hosts" have left a good fire going us and for the rest of this day's round of skiers and snowshoers. (We get to host overnight at the end of Jan., as new members of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club.)

Gordon Reese is a relatively new feature of this cross-country ski area, with 17 miles of groomed trails.

And we check out the back-porch view before heading home. For more information on this unusual spot, go to http://bitterrootxcskiclub.net/cabin-reservations.htm; to http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Gordon_Reese_Cabin/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75219; and to http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccaellen/4357743930/in/photostream/.