I had never heard of the Hammer Cabin, but I found this on the ONP historic resource page:
"Over a period of more than fifty years, numerous hardy, independent miners prospected in the North Fork Skokomish area, hopeful of making valuable finds of copper, silver, iron or manganese. Over 400 claims were filed in the valley between 1880 and 1942 (Keatts 1982, 8). The names of many early prospectors are remembered by a few remaining oldtime local residents. Prospecting pits, cuts, tunnels, mine tailings and other irregular holes and humps of earth, together with fallen or partially collapsed wood structures and associated scattered artifacts, are not unlikely occurrences throughout the Lake Cushman Mining District. The collapsed Chris Hammer cabin is presently a visible reminder of years of active mining in the North Fork Skokomish area."
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
0
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Chris Hammer trapped and mine in the area from 1901(or 06?)-1920, when he was found dead in the cabin, Sears & Roebuck form filled out for a trip to town. Apparently he went to town 3 or 4 times a year, a 20+ mile trek. The AMS bottle is prohibition-era "medicinal whiskey", by prescription only.
His grave is somewhere nearby, but it's probably long lost to the forest. I got stung by a wasp and had to hightail it out of the area, so I didn't get a chance to explore as much as I wanted. I'll be back. Next time I'll try to follow Hammer's old trail, but there's A LOT of blowdown in the neighborhood.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).