WillPenny,anagingcowpoke,takesajobonaranchwhichrequireshimtoridethelineofthepropertylookingfortrespassersor,worse,squatters.HefindsthathiscabininthehighmountainshasbeenappropriatedbyawomanwhoseguidetoOregonhasdesertedherandherson.Tooashamedtokickmotherandchildoutjustasthebitterwinterofthemountainssetsin,heagreestosharethecabinuntilthespringthaw.Butitisn'tjustthesnowthatslowlythaws;thelonelymanandwomansoonforgettheirmutualhostilityandstartdevelopingadeeploveforoneanother.