The Alpine Lumber Company had several logging camps, there are references to Camp 1, Camp 2, and a Lower Camp. Our 1930 photo shows a couple of buildings west of Alpine, we decided to investigate.
On Sunday, September 16, we hiked along the BPA power line from Carroll Creek to the area where we suspected the camp used to be. The old railroad grade, marked with a red line on the map, was clearly visible. East of the camp the railroad grade is now a road, west of the camp it is covered with brush, nettles, and devils club.
We think the logging camp was here, the road that curves to the right is probably the old railroad grade on the map and straight ahead is another grade that heads west. Unfortunately, a creek has washed tons of gravel over the area where the camp appears to have been located, we were unable to find any debris or evidence of structures.
This is looking west from where we believe the camp was, the red line shows where the railroad came out of the woods and went west another couple of miles.
Here we are about 500 feet west of the camp standing on the old railroad grade, marked by an X on the photo. The tracks went past the BPA towers and crossed a bridge...
This is looking east, the tracks passed to the right of the BPA tower and crossed a bridge. We didn't find any remains of the bridge, there is a BPA road there now and anything that was still standing after 1930 was probably bulldozed or burned.
The original Stevens Pass Highway crossed the Tye River near here, in the afternoon we walked down to the old bridge site. In the 1930 photo we can see at least one structure near the bridge, we spent some time looking for that but did not find anything. In 1930 the road followed the Tye River west of the bridge, the river channel has changed course since then and a section of the road has washed out.
Donna is standing on the south bank of the Tye River where the Stevens Pass Highway crossed, this is looking west.
The Stevens Pass Highway, looking east. About 800 feet from here the road turned left and crossed the Tye River. Just behind me is where the road has been washed out by the river.
Keesha waiting for another pepperoni stick.
