Last weekend we traveled to Pine--determined to hike up to the steep rim far above the cabin. A deep gorge separates the cabin from the rim so we researched some of the public trails in the area to determine the best way to get to the top. The Highline Trail passes a few miles to the south of us and the map indicates a spur called the Donahue Trail that leads up to Milk Ranch Point on the Rim that appears to overlook the cabin. We headed off on the 10 plus mile hike in the morning. The trail is seldom used and has some serious switchbacks up to the top. Weather was warm, but a cooling thunderstorm with light sprinkles chased us down the last few miles of the trail. The elk were bugling near the top and we saw a fairly large herd of them. Unfortunately, the summit did not afford us a glimpse of the cabin--but we enjoyed a beautiful view of the surrounding area anyway.
