Thought I would share an adventure.
This past summer I bought a 20 acre patented mining claim in a remote part of Montana. It is totally surrounded by Federal Lands. There is no road or trail to the property. In fact it was so remote, the listing agent had not even gotten in to take photos. It was advertised using only maps and aerial photos for the pictures. The owner was from PA and had never been on the property! His great grandfather (or maybe grandfather?) had patented the claim in 1926. Anyway, on sort of a whim I made an offer on the property sight unseen. The realtor called me back after about 30 minutes and said the seller had accepted it. I couldn't wait to hike in and see just what I was buying. I hoped it had a spring on it because with no road, it would be much less usable if I had to always bring water in.
The following Saturday I hauled the atv to the National Forest, unloaded and drove way down a Forest Service Road. From there, I hit a trail that would get me to within a mile of the claim.
At one point I had to stop to let a family of grouse cross the trail.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2504.JPG)
I made it up to this old mine site where an old cabin stood. From here, I would have to hike up the mountain.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2509.JPG)
As I got closer to the property, I could hear the sound of running water. I was very happy to see a small stream at least near the property and I hoped it also crossed the property.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2516.JPG)
Eventually I made it to the source of the water-a large boulder field. There were no visible markings or fences to tell me when I had crossed the property line but I had entered in approximate GPS coordinates and soon I located the mine dump and tunnel site. The source of the water was located on the property and not far from the mine
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There were quite a few mine relics laying around. Here is what is left of an old mine cart. I will show more of the things I found in a later post.
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Here is the old tunnel, now collapsed. The old timers had at least 1500 feet of tunnel in the mountain according to the plat from the 1926 patent survey. I wonder how much silver they took out?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2532.JPG)
I won't be mining but I did want a getaway cabin so as I explored around, I looked for sites where I could build it. The timber is fairly thick- a lot of beetle killed lodgepole and some big spruce trees. The lodgepole are perfect for cabin building, and already dry.
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2549.JPG)
I will have to continue this post later but I did get a good start on the cabin before winter hit. Right now there is about 3 feet of snow in there so I won't get back in until June.
This is exciting and the beginning of an adventure for sure! It will be interesting to follow your progress.
Good to hear from you, Fred! That is an awesome find 8)
What a great adventure ! Thanks for taking pictures and showing us 8)
How far did you have to hike ?
I can no way picture an ATV on Federal land around here :o Is there a Right of Way ?
Sounds like a start to a fantastic adventure for years to come.
So, on my next trip to the land I explored some nearby mines. There was one that had a lot of old equipment still around. They must have had a big operation there at one time. I think the mine shut down around 1900.
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I hiked back to my land.
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I looked closer at an old cabin or tent site that was near the spring. The ground was leveled off and there were remains of an old wood stove, stove pipe, some sheet metal, an old ore bucket and some other stuff. Interesting that there were no logs. Maybe a cabin was here that burned down at one time?
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2518.JPG)
This would be the spot to build on. Nice and flat already and easy access to water. Lots of dead standing lodgepole nearby.
I have a woodmizer sawmill but I won't be packing it in here on my back. I will have to build the cabin with limited tools and materials brought in and use mostly materials from on site.
I cut 4 logs and arranged them on the old site. I am using granite rocks for foundation stones. There will be 9 stone piers altogether. The cabin logs are 12 1/2 feet long. An longer would be too hard to manage by myself.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2910.JPG)
To be continued...
What a deal you have there thanks for sharing. I would love to find some thing like that :new_year:
QuoteHow far did you have to hike ?
I can no way picture an ATV on Federal land around here :o Is there a Right of Way ?
I was able to drive the pickup down a designated forest service road to within about 1.5 miles of the claim. From there I drove the ATV on a forest service trail to a point that is about 1/2 mile from the claim. I hiked that last 1/2 mile.
There is no right of way to drive in to the land- which is one reason I could afford to buy it!
That is ok though because I like that it is somewhat difficult to get to.
Fred I live outside Helena Is that in the Bullion Parks area of Rimini?
This is great!
I too will be following this story. Thanks for sharing Fred.
What an awesome adventure and plot of land. You must be grinning ear to ear. I'm happy for you, and just a little bit envious. 8) 8) 8)
This is very cool! Thank you for sharing. :)
Looks like an adventure! Is the terrain too tough to cut a trail the last half mile for the ATV to drag your WM in?
Great find, and venture.
Is this claim like gold claims, where I heard that the claim has to be worked every so often to maintain it? Met a fella once that had a gold claim in Idaho, and he had to go in to mine it once in a while to keep his claim. Just wondering.
Time to get a pack mule to help out with the build.
Will the Feds maintain the boundary markers? Or just up to you to pick your own borders?
A Peterson or Lucas might be "packable" to your site. But then maybe not as much fun as without. ;)
Thanks for the great pictures. What an adventure.
That's really cool.
This is cool!
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I would have the water tested. Out here, all the abandoned mines are causing a problem. Somehow, they produce acidic levels, leaching out some of the nasties out of the soil. The water tends to kill off aquatic life.
QuoteNot to be a Debbie Downer, but I would have the water tested. Out here, all the abandoned mines are causing a problem. Somehow, they produce acidic levels, leaching out some of the nasties out of the soil. The water tends to kill off aquatic life.
You make a good point. There is a lot of contaminated mine water in this area. I plan to get a sample tested this year. This is a natural spring and above the mine adits so I am pretty sure it will test good.
QuoteIs this claim like gold claims, where I heard that the claim has to be worked every so often to maintain it? Met a fella once that had a gold claim in Idaho, and he had to go in to mine it once in a while to keep his claim. Just wondering.
Time to get a pack mule to help out with the build.
Will the Feds maintain the boundary markers? Or just up to you to pick your own borders?
This is a patented claim which means that I have surface rights to it. No need to work it to maintain the rights. If it were unpatented then I would have to work it. I would not be able to build a recreational cabin on it either if were unpatented.
I doubt if they will maintain the markers but I have a good idea where the boundaries are. I have located two of four corners.
I just sold my pack horse last year!
QuoteLooks like an adventure! Is the terrain too tough to cut a trail the last half mile for the ATV to drag your WM in?
I can't legally drive off of the established trails so I will be having to do it the hard way!
QuoteFred I live outside Helena Is that in the Bullion Parks area of Rimini?
I am wanting to keep the location private. I am sure you understand!
When I was digging the holes for the rock piers, I started finding some cool stuff. I hit metal in one hole so I reached in and pulled out a miner's pick head. I heard it scrape metal as it was coming out so I reached in and pulled out a long crosscut saw blade! Most fun I ever had digging holes let me tell you!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/tools.jpg)
In another I uncovered a large wash tub. It was all rusted out except for the rim but inside was all of their chinaware. Plates, cups, bowls, butter dish, some knives, spoons and a fork. Most of the china was broken from years of freezing and thawing. Two cups and a plate survived. I use one for a coffee cup. Pretty neat to imagine the exhausted miners sitting down to eat. Food and drink is never better than when you are wet, cold and tired out.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/china.jpg) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_3117.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_3118.JPG)
I eventually got some work done on the cabin..
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Quite an adventure for sure. Including the site unseen purchase. ;D
That old plate and the cups may be worth something to a collector. They have makers marks at least, so you can do some research. ;D
Sounds like you will have some fun there for years to come.
That looks and sounds like so much fun, and the pictures of the cabin progress are great, not mention all of the old tools and household items. ENJOY it
I can see a pack mule(s) in your future.
Maybe a burro would be appropriate
Looks like a fine place......
By the way I know many old machinery enthusiasts and museums who would be very happy if they had that small vertical steam engine at the nearby mine. I wish somebody would resque it while it is still possible to repair.
QuoteBy the way I know many old machinery enthusiasts and museums who would be very happy if they had that small vertical steam engine at the nearby mine. I wish somebody would resque it while it is still possible to repair.
I bet. I would like to myself but it is private property.
Way cool! I subscribed.
Fred, this is a very interesting thread.
Thanks
Jon
Great adventure! Thanks for Including us.
That is about the neatest thing to be involved in. Way to go! The backdrop pics show a LOT of dead trees, hillsides full. That would be my biggest concern - fire safe in the event of lightning in the area. But - no shortage of building materials, or firewood!
That is so cool to find old stuff. On my 10 acres, right of I-80, I've only found the rusted, bent frame of a Model T and an old, large, outhouse that is half fallen over. I'm sure there is more as the old Emigrant Trail crosses my property.
Love it! Can't wait to see more :)
Fred,
Awesome property! I love old mining claims, and as a land surveyor I survey them often around Butte, MT. I've surveyed a couple up around Basin, MT up cataract creek basin. If you've found 2 of the corners, the others shouldn't be to hard. I assume it's a 20 acre claim? Do you have the original survey and notes? If not, I can point you in the right direction to find those. The notes describe what each corner is, how they were referenced either by bearing stone or tree, where certain physical properties cross the property lines, and any problems the original surveyor encountered. Maybe you could snowmobile in with some of your bigger tools and store them until spring since snowmobiles don't fall under the same rules as atvs, but you may still need to thin some trees for a manageable trail. Building with beetle killed lodgepole pine is pretty awesome. Straight, minimal branches, and usually very dry and have already undergone their shrinking and cracking. Again, awesome find and congrats! :new_year:
Levi
Yes, two of the corners had witness trees with the mineral survey number in them. The other two are at the far end of the claim. I haven't explored it fully yet. The plat shows all of the info needed to retrace.
I would like to snowmobile in with some materials but I don't have one.
Quote from: fred in montana on December 29, 2014, 06:11:14 AM
QuoteBy the way I know many old machinery enthusiasts and museums who would be very happy if they had that small vertical steam engine at the nearby mine. I wish somebody would resque it while it is still possible to repair.
I bet. I would like to myself but it is private property.
I forgot about those weird "no trespassing" laws in your country.
Over here trespassing is a legal right so it is pretty common in cases like that to call the landowner and tell that you have been trespassing and ask if the abandoned machine is for sale and offer to call back two weeks later when the landowner has had time to make up his mind and come up with an asking price. Usually landowners are willing to sell their abandoned stuff for a very reasonable price when you call back.
Sorry, but weird is not what the No Trespassing laws are. It means stay out, you're not welcome. Nowhere will you find the word "access" (except NO) when defining trespassing. I don't have a sign up, but I would think an univited guest in my backyard could be a problem.
Getting off topic here but 'trespassing is a legal right' in Finland? Here private means just that, no entry without permission. Too many want to leave with stuff without asking first.
that country side looks nice. it is always so interesting how mother nature reclaims the land.
Quote from: BradMarks on December 30, 2014, 12:54:45 PM
Sorry, but weird is not what the No Trespassing laws are. It means stay out, you're not welcome. Nowhere will you find the word "access" (except NO) when defining trespassing. I don't have a sign up, but I would think an univited guest in my backyard could be a problem.
Quote from: sawguy21 on December 30, 2014, 02:19:55 PM
Getting off topic here but 'trespassing is a legal right' in Finland? Here private means just that, no entry without permission. Too many want to leave with stuff without asking first.
In much of England and Europe, land is open for people to pass through for hiking and exercise (trekking)--that doesn't mean hunting, logging, etc. It's a little more civilized in that regard. It would be considered extremely rude if you blocked access through your property. It's not like in the US where people might shoot you for stepping foot on "your land".
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam
Quote from: fred in montana on December 29, 2014, 08:44:52 PM
Yes, two of the corners had witness trees with the mineral survey number in them. The other two are at the far end of the claim. I haven't explored it fully yet. The plat shows all of the info needed to retrace.
I would like to snowmobile in with some materials but I don't have one.
Heck, if ya showed me how to make those fancy dovetail joints like on that last cabin you built, I'd loan you one for a month or two :D
Quote from: Brian_Weekley on December 30, 2014, 02:49:47 PM
Quote from: BradMarks on December 30, 2014, 12:54:45 PM
Sorry, but weird is not what the No Trespassing laws are. It means stay out, you're not welcome. Nowhere will you find the word "access" (except NO) when defining trespassing. I don't have a sign up, but I would think an univited guest in my backyard could be a problem.
Quote from: sawguy21 on December 30, 2014, 02:19:55 PM
Getting off topic here but 'trespassing is a legal right' in Finland? Here private means just that, no entry without permission. Too many want to leave with stuff without asking first.
In much of England and Europe, land is open for people to pass through for hiking and exercise (trekking)--that doesn't mean hunting, logging, etc. It's a little more civilized in that regard. It would be considered extremely rude if you blocked access through your property. It's not like in the US where people might shoot you for stepping foot on "your land".
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam
Private land in Finland means that you are free to walk or bicykle and ski wherever you want except on farmed fields and gardens and free to pick wild berries and herbs and materials for broom making but all other rights belong to the landowner.
This freedom is on certain conditions:
-You are not allowed to come so close to the landowner's house or cabin that you violate his right to privacy. This usually means out of sight in the woods or some 100 metres in open terrain.
-You are not allowed to damage any kind of planted or farmed crop.
-You are not allowed to kill any animal.
-You are not allowed to damage a timber tree or anything that may ever become a timber tree.
-You are allowed to pick wild berries but not to destroy future berry harvests.
-You are not allowed to do any damage to any belongings that the landowner has left on his land.
-You are not allowed to drive any kind of motorized vehicle.
In practice nobody will care if you drive a snowmobile or even a tractor across his land to get a necsessary job done provided that the ground is frozen and there is enough snow to prewent the tyre chains from damaging anything.
To close off your land from trespassings or put up "no trespassing" sings is illegal.
This has it's perks for landowners too:
A very efficient precaution against thiefs and poachers. Poaching on private land is almost unheard of because of the odds that a legal trespasser will turn up and witness what is going on and tell the police or the landowner. Illegal logging is very unusual and illegal squatters on private land are totally unknown. There have been a few small marijuana plantations made by trespassers but they are usually found by legal trespassers and reported to the police. Many wounded loggers have also been resqued by legal trespassers before freezing or bleeding to death.
The idea is that
when the decent citizens keep out the scums will move in with their monkey business.
So I had started this cabin right after labor day which left me only a few weeks until the snow flies. Here is progress from weekend number 3.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_3041.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_3042.JPG)
The next weekend was cold and wet. I made a "stump stove" to keep warm and to make coffee on. This was the first one I had ever made and I was really impressed. It burned for hours with little tending.
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About 50 yards from the cabin site I found this. Many years ago someone had leaned it against a tree and the tree had grown around it and eventually died. It is made of two 1/2 thick boards nailed together. It was about 12 feet long and there is a slotted hole in the top center, like a handhole. The bottom edge is straight and the top tapers from the middle down toward the ends. The taper is a curve (no linear). The width is about 12 inches near the slot and the width at the ends was around 4 inches. I have a theory on what it is but I would like to get some thoughts from you.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_3144.JPG)
I worked hard and get some more logs up. I am peeling the inside but wanted to leave the bark on the outside for more of a rustic look and to speed progress.
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Nice!
Good to see you have a willing helper ;)
Fred I see one thing wrong with your little peace of heaven on earth where is the door ?
Looks great ,I would like to do this one day.
Looks great! Do you have help, or are you "Alone in the Wilderness"?
Had a little help but so far mostly just me.
Doors and windows will be cut out later.
Love it!! Thanks for the updates, and please keep them coming. I don't need to tell you that you've got a special place there.
Enjoy, and happy New Year.
About your board with the handle in it, just a WAG - a mortar board for doing the chinking for a cabin??
Are you notching the log ends after placing? Curious as I've never built a log structure before.
Also, will you be cutting out the doors and windows once the walls get higher than the height of each? And nailing in supports then?
I have never seen a stump stove, that is a neat idea. Great pictures, I am really enjoying this.
Quote from: sawguy21 on January 01, 2015, 07:41:05 PM
I have never seen a stump stove, that is a neat idea. Great pictures, I am really enjoying this.
I'm currently making a stump stove. Just planted the seedling last month. How long until I'm able to use it? :D
Some more photos...
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Great pictures! I think you're living the dream many of us would like to pursue. If I could have a cabin like that in the middle of elk hunting country I'd feel like I was almost in Heaven!
Thank you Fred for sharing your dream. :)
who hasn't dreamed of doing what you are doing. Can you salvage any building materials from the old buildings? What are you doing for a roof?
Nice job you're doing. Too bad about all the dead Pine trees. :(
Quote from: ozarkgem on January 04, 2015, 06:57:47 AM
who hasn't dreamed of doing what you are doing. Can you salvage any building materials from the old buildings? What are you doing for a roof?
I believe the picture of the other buildings are on his neighbor's property, so not salvageable for his own use :-X
QuoteAre you notching the log ends after placing? Curious as I've never built a log structure before.
Yes, I am just setting the log up on the wall then making all cuts by eye with the chainsaw.
Unlike the other cabins I have built, I wanted this cabin to have round logs.
And as far as the building materials, I will not be able to use any from the other property.
I have pretty much posted all of my pictures from this fall. I won't get back up there until June so until then....
How's the cabin going?
I'm jealous
Can you get water to the cabin using a gravity powered Ram pump?
Sorry I haven't posted anything yet this year yet.
I continued exploring and working on the cabin this summer.
Purely by accident while working on the cabin one day, I uncovered hand forged log dog. I was able to immediately put it to use>
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/1~0.jpg)
Some pics of the progress from August..
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/11.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/12.jpg)
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/16.jpg)
More to come..
Wow! Great progress. Enjoying the thread
Awesome
Living the dream!!
Can't remember if you mentioned a water source. The ground looks like sand. :-\ Maybe it's sawdust. ;D
Did you cut all the floor on site as well ? Very cool deal , thanks for all the pics . Are you done for the winter now ?
Great thread; I'm not sure how I missed it before now. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey.
Many old logging camps around my hunting camp, very easy to give up a few hours poking around.
You now have a floor!!! 8) What a great get away place you will have once finished! :) :)
Now this is nice. It would drive me nuts not being able to get out there in the winter. ;D
enjoying your great work
WOW
Enjoyed following your progress, very interesting. I can spend hours digging around places like that. Waiting for more pics. Outstanding.
Thanks everyone. Yes, I am done for the winter.
I did carry in 1x6 t&g flooring (doug fir circle sawn, skip planed) and 1x6 t&g rough pine for ceiling boards. Carrying the lumber took quite a few trips at 6-8 boards per trip.
There is a spring close to the cabin. Got the water tested for heavy metals and it came back clean for that. Still need to filter out the biological contaminants though. That is easy enough.
I put in a packer would stove too. It only took two trips to pack in the parts for it. (sorry, no photo)
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definitely love seeing these amazing pictures! Be sure to continue and update us with the progress you make it's amazing to watch. Have you had a chance to hunt on your land yet?
Good job Fred! It's looking great! Awesome find on the log dog 8)
Levi
Thanks for posting this thread, read most of your comments out loud to my wife and daughter and found your pictures fascinating. I think everyone dreams of building their own cabin, I know I have and your pictures give me hope that it might be a doable thing.
Looks great! Thanks again for sharing.
:P popcorn_smiley love seeing the discovered treasures! Nice work on the cabin
Impressive! Looks like you got it partially covered with plywood where the stove pipe juts out of the roof. Really like the hand made door.
I like everything about this thread from packing everything in, to the cabin door and all points in-between. Fred is living the dream.
I THOUGHT I was living the dream - then I woke up and realized it was a nightmare.
Not sure if this has been posted before www.cabinporn.com seems they have a book too
This is great!
Fred,
I believe the 12' long tapered board leaning against the tree is a carpenters straight edge. Many years ago I saw several of those being used to check for flatness of floors and walls.
QuoteI believe the 12' long tapered board leaning against the tree is a carpenters straight edge. Many years ago I saw several of those being used to check for flatness of floors and walls.
Yes! I think it is a straightedge as well. I suppose the miners used it to align the mine rails.
So I did a little metal detecting near the cabin and it sounded off... Thought it might just be another piece of broken woodstove but I started digging..
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(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_1374.JPG)
For a minute I thought it was a gold pan.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_1375.JPG)
Nope- a skillet. Another artifact for the cabin wall!
Nice!
Just found this thread.
What an adventure!
Anxiously awaiting further developments
Spring is here and I am looking forward to getting back in to the cabin. It will probably be a few more weeks.
I found a picture of the little pack stove that I brought in last fall..Also there is a pic of the flooring going down.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_1252.JPG)
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It's good to see you back working on your project. smiley_thumbsup Thanks for remembering to keep us updated. smiley_idea
Absolutely love this post! Been waiting patiently since Feb for an update!! Keep it coming. Be Safe. Gene
I, too, love this thread and have been waiting patiently, unaware of the weather out by you.
Be safe and enjoy the cabin. It looks fantastic, and I envy you.
Following and envious.
Did the snow melt yet ?
This is such an interesting and amazing post I can't wait to hear and see more. The cabin project looks awesome! Thanks for sharing.
I just ran across this adventure, what a thrill looking at all the rust you found and the cabin is every mans dream. Thank you for scharing such a great adventure !
I just found this post and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Could you give us a rundown on the tools you used to build the camp with?
Thanks
Love your adventure...
I also love the steam engine...
Can't help but wonder if this cabin was a victim of one of those many fires that plagued the west this year. Hope not.
Fred was at the cabin in June 2016
Just wondering if there has been updates on this at all if it's finished now. I know it's been over a year old but I always kept an eye on it just waiting.
Quote from: bigred1951 on November 01, 2017, 09:11:58 PM
Just wondering if there has been updates on this at all if it's finished now. I know it's been over a year old but I always kept an eye on it just waiting.
X2
Unfortunately Fred hasn't been on since July of 2016.
Maybe he's living off the grid at his cabin.
Hello. It's been a long time since my last post. A lot has happened since then. I moved and began building a new house which has taken almost all of my free time. I have been in to the cabin a few times but not as much as I would like. Hopefully this year will be different since I am getting closer to finishing the house.
I made a little progress on the cabin:
Some interior chinking and I installed a window sash..
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2536.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1517833198)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2537~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1517833188)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2539.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1517833184)
Framed up an outhouse:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/IMG_2343.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1517833113)
And even did a little detecting. Not sure what it is but maybe a collar that went on a shaft between a nut and a wheel?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21439/20170722_194739.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1517833267)
The cabin still has no permanent roof on it. It is covered with 1x6 t&g boards and a tarp. I should be able to get a roof on it this summer.
As far as the tools I used: Chainsaw, drawknife, wood chisel, hammer, tape measure and log dog.
Hi Fred, thanks for the update.
My disk harrow has some collars that look just like that, but in your area it's more likely from a wagon wheel.
Scott
Good to hear from you, Fred! I think of you all the time, because pictures of that one cabin you built are all over the internet!👍🏼
welcome back Fred!
Looks like a FINE place to set up a still! :D ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/46676/granny.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1517856272)
He would need a running stream for that. ;D
Sure am glad to see you back, Fred. I was afraid the fires got your cabin. Looking forward to more updates.
:P popcorn_smiley
Thanks for the update. ;D
Glad to hear from you Fred! I too, was starting to wonder about you.
Quote from: ESFted on February 06, 2018, 12:19:34 PM
Sure am glad to see you back, Fred. I was afraid the fires got your cabin. Looking forward to more updates.
I think Fred's cabin was in relative safety from last year's fires. Most of the big ones were quite a ways west of the Helena area, concentrated more around Missoula-Seeley Lake area, although I'm sure he got his fair share of the smoke and poor air quality like the rest of us in Montana.
Levi
This is amazing. Thanks for letting me share in the adventure.
Thanks for the update! Your adventures at the cabin have hit a soft spot for a lot of us!!
That collar you showed in the picture looked to me like a out side collar of a circle sawmill. But all I can say is what a great adventure what memories you must have .
Thanks for sharing Fred. I live in Butte, and see similar places in the back country nearby and daydream about what it would be like to build a little getaway cabin there. You are living the dream. Enjoy.
Well it has been a while! Sorry my friends for the long delay!
All is well at the mine cabin. It is done now except for some small improvements. 8) I get up there quite often now. I made a youtube video of a recent trip. You can find it if you search for "remote mine cabin 6-2020"
Remote mine cabin 6-2020 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/LxpmPv4kNbw)
getting ready for work this eve. after watching that, I just want to retire, and go camping! nice.
Wonderful!
I pressed "Like" but I would press it twice if I could.
How did you get those big roof logs up there?
What a beautiful spot, and nice looking work to match, Fred!👍👍
As always, thank you for sharing your adventures Fred. smiley_thumbsup Don't stay gone so long.
As if I wasn't jealous before and now this. I'm with Doc. I'm gonna retire and buy me a mine in MT.
Thank you fellas. Some of the logs I could carry, or hand winch over to the cabin. I had some helpers a couple of times and we would move logs to places right next to the cabin. Getting the long logs up involved some ramps, multiple ropes and a whole lot of back strain. No helpers on those days.
I was really lucky to get this property at a price I could afford. I guess because of the lack of road access, he had priced it lower than others I have seen. The going rate for a 20 acre claim in the area is around $50 K I think. Most have drive in access.
I have missed this thread and your progress. Good for you and thanks for updating.
That makes me wish we had never left Western Montana in the mid 50s
@ fred in Montana. FRED!! this is my favorite thread going! Any updates? What a great adventure!
Yes it is a very nice thread.
@fred in montana (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=11439)
probably spell check changed it, but user name must be exact to work.
This thread stirs my juices more than a little bit as I spent much of my life dreaming about a move out west, which became a move east but in the woods where it's far more affordable than most western mtn spots have become.
Thanks Fred for taking the time to include us in your cabin project! I really enjoyed it! MT is one of my favorite spots on earth!
An outstanding place.
I know the heart and soul put into a place like that. I too built my own cabin in the snowy range mountains of Wyoming. It's a labor of love.
Quote from: snobdds on December 01, 2020, 04:10:26 PM
An outstanding place.
I know the heart and soul put into a place like that. I too built my own cabin in the snowy range mountains of Wyoming. It's a labor of love.
Do you have any pictures you would care to share?
We like pictures.
GAB
Quote from: GAB on December 01, 2020, 08:38:45 PM
Quote from: snobdds on December 01, 2020, 04:10:26 PM
An outstanding place.
I know the heart and soul put into a place like that. I too built my own cabin in the snowy range mountains of Wyoming. It's a labor of love.
Do you have any pictures you would care to share?
We like pictures.
GAB
I have tons, its just hard to upload pictures to this site. I'll read up on it.
Quote from: snobdds on December 01, 2020, 10:34:14 PM
Quote from: GAB on December 01, 2020, 08:38:45 PM
Quote from: snobdds on December 01, 2020, 04:10:26 PM
An outstanding place.
I know the heart and soul put into a place like that. I too built my own cabin in the snowy range mountains of Wyoming. It's a labor of love.
Do you have any pictures you would care to share?
We like pictures.
GAB
I have tons, its just hard to upload pictures to this site. I'll read up on it.
@snobdds (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=45948) Try the photo tutorial. Once the photos are in your gallery, its very easy and it helps avoid the loss of photos.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=100194.0
For your viewing pleasure.. Here is a video I made of the entire build plus some of the treasures found along the way.
https://youtu.be/vFT0XTiTxYE (https://youtu.be/vFT0XTiTxYE)
Fantastic!
That's some sparkly ore! What was mined in that area? Silver? Did you get it assayed?
Yes, it is galena (silver+lead). I didn't get it assayed but I have tried smelting some with no success yet.
very nice. peaceful.
Quote from: fred in montana on March 11, 2021, 06:47:02 AM
Yes, it is galena (silver+lead). I didn't get it assayed but I have tried smelting some with no success yet.
Now if you can figure out where it came from, you could pay off the land! ;) I have no idea, what is silver going for these days? Wonder if the old miner mined it on your property or "found it" somewhere else and was hiding it...
Trully, Heaven on Earth . :)
Fred:
Thanks for the video.
You are a whole lot better with a chainsaw than I am.
I'm not competing against you, you win, amen.
GAB
I love it. Are you taking reservations.
Fred! That is awesome! Thanks so much for the video! What an inspiration! 8)