There's never been a winter like this in all of Jem Coulter's eight years. After weeks of heavy snowfall, no one can pan for gold. And all the wild critters from rabbits to cougars are coming down to the low country around Goldtown looking for food to stay alive. It isn't all bad, though--animals mean Pa can put out a trapline to make some money for the family. Jem is excited to help with this grownup job, until their overnight campsite in the wintery woods has an unexpected visitor. Now they're in the most danger Jem's ever faced!