There are 16 such cabins in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, from Denali State Park through the Willow area and as far south as Uditna Creek in Eklutna.

Rates range from $25 to $50 per night, depending on the type and size of cabin. Each one is a rustic vacation ho me for the weekend warrior. They sleep between three and eight people, have wood-burning stoves, a table and chairs, little porches and an outhouse.

The cabins are located in remote settings, usually by a lake or a creek. Most are accessible without the use of a snow machine, and even those that aren't can be reached on foot by cabin-goers with true grit.

"They are wildly popular in the winter," said Terri Zell, Alaska State Parks Mat-Su Valley area office manager.

Along with the rustic fun of hunkering down in the woods with good friends, good food, and a winter playground outside, come the oddities. Each cabin usually contains items others left behind, things they thought would be useful. A can of baked beans. Ketchup. Playing cards. Board games. And each cabin has a logbook where visitors write when they came, what they did, what they saw, etc. One could wile away the hours just browsing the strange and interesting things people have written over the years. And then you too can become a part of the history of the cabin by leaving your own special missive in the book.

Cabin reservations can be made up to six-months in advance. To reserve yours, call the Alaska State Parks Mat-Su Valley office at 745-3975, or log on to alaskastateparks.org to view photos of cabins and get the location and rates of the cabin right for your weekend wilderness resort getaway.

Reach the reporter at nzawicki@alaskastar.com