KENDRICK PEAK AREA: NEW FINDINGS
Map courtesy of Google Maps
The general location of this map is off of Forest Road 549, accessible from the highway. Further information on my research and exploits in this area are available on other posts.
I recently spent two trips researching this area. This is a remote location, requiring some planning and forethought before making a trip. I know that the Saginaw was active north of the highway, and I wanted to confirm to what extent they were logging this location. I do believe more can be found; however, this was at the most extreme of operations. As such, finding evidence becomes more challenging, and I have concluded that most of the spurs have finally settled into the dust.
This area was logged several times, and is also extensively used as rangeland for cattle, as can be seen by the number of maintained steel tanks and reservoirs dotting the region.
This region of the National Forest has been logged several times. The timber sales records would provide more definitive information, but I haven't found the time to do the research. That said, it can be at times difficult to distinguish what has occurred during overlapping time periods. One thing can be determined: the Saginaw was likely the first to log this region of the national forest. Given the locality of other sites, including known railroad grades, it is safe to assume they were active in this area.
Often forest roads were established on or near the old railroad spurs. What often helps me to determine if this is a spur are a number of indicators, such as the general construction of the road, the number of nearby stumps (which are in abundance,) artifacts, and other subjective evidence. Sometimes you just get a feel for the area, which must align with the other factors, to qualify as a piece of Saginaw history.
FR9005G and 9001E are drivable with a high clearance 4x4. As with all forest road travel, it will take some skill to navigate and always come prepared for road hazards. If it looks too hazardous, then don't drive it. Walking is an option, and we could all use some exercise. Did I take the time to note the name of the tanks? No, of course not. However, the road markers are in place at several locations, and you can get the general idea from Google Maps.
The location of one grade is off of FR9001E, which is a transcontinental cable line. The grade, which is closed to vehicles, is near an unmarked tank.
On FR9005G, the unmarked forest road that goes north from the other tank is closed to vehicles. From what I have seen, during my short walk along the road, I have little doubt that this was once a railroad spur.
The other spur to the West from the tank follows FR9005G. It is extremely rough in sections. It will end at some fallen timber (which is a continual hazard), with only a dirt road continuing over a small ridge. I walked a short distance but could not see any indications that the spur continued on.
Before I proceed with the images, I must remind everyone to leave any historic sites or items where they are, in the forest. Marked and unmarked sites are protected by law and must be preserved.
One thing that remains a constant throughout this region north of Kendrick Peak is that very little railroad related materials were left behind. Anything that was of value was removed by the Saginaw, and what was left behind was subsequently used by the homesteaders or collected in scrap drives for two World Wars.
This is one pile of once-stacked logs located along one of the forest roads. Time has scattered them about.
Another stack of logs. Given the age of the trees that are now growing between them, these logs have been waiting for some time to go to the mill.
One of the older logs found in the area. Probably left behind due to the poor quality of the timber. There are ample numbers of similar logs throughout the Saginaw domain, indicating that they only took the best of the timber. With more modern logging and forest management technics, the Forest Service requires that all of this would be cleaned up.
A coil of cable found near the road. It is difficult to date cable; this section appears to have been cut with a torch. Oxyacetylene welding and cutting torches were invented in the early 1900s, so this technology could have been available during the time that the Saginaw first logged the area.
This is a view of the number of logs and debris left behind in the forest. Given the length and the "aged patina" of the logs, I would say these were left behind by the original loggers.
This is one of the possible log loadouts along the abandoned road.
Unless some additional information is forthcoming, I do not plan to return to this area anytime soon. There is one area, north of Kendrick Park, that has my attention. I know the railroad was near, as I had located the line on a prior visit. Hopefully I will uncover more spurs, and maybe some interesting features - like a rock-fill trestle.
Until next time, be safe.
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