Smokey McPickle and the Christmas Yeti: A Trailgating Holiday Tale

🏕️🎄 Smokey McPickle and the Christmas Yeti: A Trailgating Holiday Tale

By Smokey McPickle

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the woods,
Not a creature was stirring—not even the trailhead goods.
The snow fell in flurries, the moon lit the pines,
As Smokey McPickle packed up for good times.

With a fat-tire bike and a sled full of cheer,
He set out alone for the high trails this year.
But this wasn't just any holiday ride—
Smokey had heard of a legend far and wide…

They say when the snow falls deep on the ridge,
And pine boughs bow low above the frostbitten bridge,
A Yeti appears with a beard full of frost,
Guiding lost campers and gifts that got lost.

But this Yeti? He’s different. A creature of joy—
With peppermint breath and a sled full of toys.
Instead of fearsome, he’s friendly and fun,
Wearing wool socks and sipping pine-needle rum.

Smokey had heard the tale once before,
At a frost-covered fire near the Montour Trail store.
So he loaded his pack with hot cocoa and gear,
Determined to trailgate with the Yeti this year.

Through snowfields and switchbacks, Smokey did glide,
With a trailgate stove and pickled snacks at his side.
He camped under stars in a hammock with flair,
In an ultralight setup built for cold air.

Then just as the Northern Lights lit up the sky,
He heard a great laugh—not a howl or a cry.
It echoed like sleigh bells mixed with a roar,
And there stood the Yeti—ten feet tall, maybe more.

“Smokey McPickle!” the Yeti declared,
With a jolly snow-beard and chest fully bared.
“I smelled smoked cheddar and marshmallow toast,
And followed the scent to the camper with most!”

Together they feasted on trailgate delights—
Freeze-dried fondue and firelight bites.
The Yeti pulled out a flask made of bark,
Filled with maple espresso and a cinnamon spark.

“Every year I seek one human with cheer,
Who knows that the trail is where joy appears.
You, dear Smokey, with your headlamp aglow,
Are the reason the forest still sparkles with snow.”

Then the Yeti produced a pack from the trees—
An ultralight sack with stitched yeti fleece.
Inside were treasures of magical gear:
A flint that starts fires with snowflakes and beer.

By morning, the Yeti had vanished away,
Leaving just bootprints and peppermint spray.
Smokey smiled wide as he rolled down the trail,
With gear full of magic and a hot cocoa tail.

Back at the trailhead, he posted a sign:
“Merry Trailgating to all—may your hammocks align!”

And to this day, if you ride snowy trails with a snack-filled pack and a firelight smile,
You might hear the Yeti… laughing all the while.