September 29, 2011

Willow Creek Cabin

As we rode along west Willow Creek, nine miles from the nearest trailhead, we were surprised  to find an intact cabin.  Since it's unlikely that this area was ever accessible by road, this was probably a rancher's line cabin, used mostly in the summer season when the cows had good grass at 8500 feet. 
The cabin wasn't locked, so I went in. 
This chair appears to be handmade with willow branches.
The bed is hand hewn, too.  I assume a mattress of some kind was laid across the bare logs. 
The wood burning stove would keep the single room cozy. 
The cabinets are unique. 
They must have been scavenged from a military base somewhere, because the print says "Rocket ammunition with smoke (or explosive, in one case) projectile."
The outside is decorated with antlers and various tools. 
Someone (the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources that manages the land?) has recently repaired some of the outer logs and added a hitching post.  Buckets, a couple of coolers, and a cot indicate someone may have cleaned up the inside and slept there in the last few years, but otherwise the cabin stands much as it did when it was built.  We couldn't find any information about it on the internet, so I don't know the cabin's age.  Since it's in such good shape, it's likely no more than 50-75 years old. However, the occupant's lifestyle clearly wasn't much different from that of pioneers in the early 1800's. 
A couple of the windows were bear-proofed with an old iron bedstead.  Very practical use of materials, don't you agree? 
The rear of the cabin sports more antlers. 
The hitching post came in handy.  Daisy liked the view.

14 comments:

  1. Was all set to book a vacation at this cabin until I came to the words "bear-proofed." But then, far better bear-proofed than not! Awesome find in beautiful country.

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  2. What a fascinating cabin. You must have felt that you stepped back in time when you came across it. Thanks for sharing it with us. Daisy isn't the only one who likes the view.

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  3. Oh my gosh...what a great find! I think I could spend some quiet time there.......

    Have a good weekend.

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  4. That is so darn cool. So glad to see it is in good shape. (no graffiti!) Love that last shot with Daisy and the horses!!!

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  5. I'm so glad you went inside and took photos! I wonder if someone still uses it occasionally and that's why it has been repaired. The hinges on the shelves and the plastic buckets don't look all that old to me.

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  6. What a neat find! Sinbad and I are back home now and I cannot imagine how many places like this we must have passed by through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and 7 more states we went through. Thanks for sharing this.

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  7. Great post, Janie. This cabin must have a great story/history in back of it. I wonder what it is... :)

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  8. Apply named, I love the willow chair. What a wonderful find, I glad it is being maintaining.
    Have a great weekend, Janie.
    hugs,
    Pam

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  9. What a great idea for "bear-proofing!" It's so interesting to step back in time and find such a well-preserved story from someone else's past.

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  10. What a find.
    Living it the hard way...... but one has to really have the determination.
    Like that improvised chair and the simple bed.

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  11. What a fascinating post, Janie. I felt as though I'd stepped into the past with you inside that cabin. The pioneers sure were tough. Thanks for you visits to my blog recently. Have a great weekend. Blessings, Jo

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  12. That's wild. We have similar camps in the Everglades, especially down in the Ten Thousand Islands. They are much like the were ... but get a little help from "who knows who" to keep them hospitable. Like the bear proof window material. If it works it works!

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  13. What a unique place! I like on the items on the shelves....it was almost like he decorated for you;D

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  14. Unique! The last word in recycling but a sturdy shelter in case of need.

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