January 13, 2010

A Glimpse Into The Past
by Steve Lamar

While working on the Bear DNA Project along Sunset Ridge this past fall, I came across an old trapper cabin that Tom Parker had told me about. There has been speculation that local trapper, Fred Messerer, probably built and used this cabin sometime during the 1930-1950s era when he was active in this general area. Other trapper cabins that he may have built, but certainly used were the cabins near Beaver Lake, Meadow Lake, Glacier Slough, Elbow Point, and possibly Crystal Lake.

This cabin is different from the other trapper cabins that I have seen in the area in that it is of the ‘lean-to shed’ design. The front log wall is approximately 6’ tall with the side walls sloping downward to the 2’ back wall. The cabin was built with subalpine fir logs and is roughly 11’ long and 9’ wide. The notches used to secure the logs into place are flat and squared.  Wood shakes were used for roofing material. The cabin site was dug into the slope to make it level.

True of most trapper cabins, the door opening is small at 30” tall and 20” wide. The door has been torn off its hinges and lays scattered on the ground. The space inside the cabin is tight and confined. There are remnants of a bunk on the floor, a small rusted woodstove that was fashioned out of part of a metal barrel, and a small table in the corner. Nails protrude from the front interior wall probably used for hanging wet clothing, gear, and fur on. Scattered about the dirt floor are rusty tin cans and a few glass jars.

A section of stove pipe lies along the back wall. Outside, I walked around the area looking for stumps but found very few. This trapper went to great lengths to keep his cabin inconspicuous and hidden. Like several other cabins in the area, it is relatively close to an old forest service trail but hidden from view.