Popular Post PNWexplorer Posted August 28, 2020 Popular Post Posted August 28, 2020 Not the one from the controversial Bigfoot video, but the one in Idaho. It's pretty deep into the woods, and I'm not going for BF research. My grandfather died about 15 years ago while I was living out of state and I couldn't attend his memorial service. I heard that he was cremated and ashes spread, but never knew the details. That side of my family is dysfunctional and bitter. Grandma's ashes were stolen by my aunt and no one knows what happened to them. I was talking to my dad a couple of weeks ago and said I was interested in camping out in the Marble Creek and Marble Mountain area and he casually mentioned that was where my grandfather's ashes were spread. Turns out, Grandpa liked to go elk hunting in a specific area and would go and sit on a specific large rock and invariably shoot an elk. His best friend created a brass plaque to honor my grandpa and attached it to the rock, and his ashes were spread there. I had no idea. I asked my dad where this rock was and he said he doesn't remember and that the friend that spread the ashes is likely dead. I did a Google search and discovered the friend was listed as last living about 15 miles away, so I called him up. Turns out he is indeed alive and in pretty good shape for an 85yr old retired professor. He wouldn't tell me the location of the memorial unless I agreed to take him up there. I agreed and we are meeting Tuesday to drive about 2 hours East into the wilderness to just West of Marble Mountain. He said the rock is about a mile off the nearest logging road in pretty tough terrain. I said I had a UTV and he replied that it was too thick to get a motorized vehicle into. I sad I had horses, and he said he hasn't ridden in 30 years and isn't about to start. So on foot it is. An overweight out of shape 50yr old and an 85yr old grumpy old man, a mile overland, in the dense Idaho wilderness, deep into wolf and Grizzly country, in search of a large boulder with a brass plaque. I'll definitely take lots of photos and be looking for sign. I'll also bring up the subject of Bigfoot and see if an 85 year old man who has been hunting all his life around here has any stories. 1 5
PNWexplorer Posted August 28, 2020 Author Posted August 28, 2020 (edited) Nearest town is about 45 miles of logging roads away. This is about as squatchy as it gets... Edited August 28, 2020 by PNWexplorer
Incorrigible1 Posted August 28, 2020 Posted August 28, 2020 A worthy expedition, PNW. I wish you luck on your venture. 1
NatFoot Posted August 28, 2020 Posted August 28, 2020 Absolutely. Can't wait for the pics - about got goose bumps reading it. Good luck and stay safe. I wonder if taking the UTV isn't that bad of an idea. It might be better than the old man remembers or at least might be able to get you a bit further than the truck.
wiiawiwb Posted August 28, 2020 Posted August 28, 2020 (edited) Wow, an adventure of a lifetime. I agree with NatFoot. Can you go part of the way on UTV then backpack the rest of the way? Any amount of distance you can cover by motorized vehicle reduces the trek in especially with an 85-year old, no matter his excellent condition. Any idea the cost to locate a open field reasonably near by and have a helicopter fly the two of you in and out? That would allow more time for the two of you to enjoy the area of your destination. Edited August 28, 2020 by wiiawiwb
PNWexplorer Posted August 29, 2020 Author Posted August 29, 2020 The old man said he drove up there last week to make sure he remembered the spot and said the terrain from the road to the boulder was just too thick. He got out of his vehicle and walked a few yards from the road and determined it was impassable by motorized vehicle. He has an ATV as well. Too many logs on the ground to get in without hours of chainsaw work.
norseman Posted August 29, 2020 Admin Posted August 29, 2020 Just south of Avery! Be safe! And enjoy spending time in your grandpas hunting grounds! 1
Popular Post PNWexplorer Posted September 2, 2020 Author Popular Post Posted September 2, 2020 Well, I made it up there and back today. My girlfriend asked how long I was going to be gone and I said I figured since we were leaving at 10 am, it was 2 hours up there, 2 hours to find the site, then 2 hours back. So, around 4pm? She giggled. We got back at 8:30pm... The trip was a success. But it wasn't looking like it was going to be. About half way up to the site, our guide remarked that there was quite a bit of new growth in the 10+ years he'd been there and wasn't sure where he was. The terrain was steeper than he remembered and covered in thick overgrowth and downed trees everywhere. He had to stop frequently and rest (he's 85...) and we had to back track a few times to get our bearings. Finally, at around 3pm, he finally spotted a huge dead tree that he used as a marker on a map years ago... We found the site about 15 minutes later, 100 yds to the North. We took a bunch of photos, cleaned off the plaque, said a few words, then got teary eyed as the old man said his goodbyes to a spot he would likely never visit again. On the way up, we went through several huckleberry patches and stumbled across an impressive pile of bear scat. This was likely from a Grizzly. I took a photo of it with my sidearm, a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt. As to any Bigfoot evidence... Really nothing concrete. Tons of elk and bear sign. I found this tree that was pushed over and raked up pretty good, likely from a Grizzly. I found a few springs and checked them all for tracks. This one had a very distinct print that looks like a large footprint that was about 18" long. But, it was old. 5
PNWexplorer Posted September 2, 2020 Author Posted September 2, 2020 I also found an unusual sign. A rather large, flat rock was sitting on top of a fairly freshly broken off branch. The rock was obviously thrown and landed on the branch. This was in the middle of an old skid trail where no humans have been since the last time my friend visited the site, over a decade ago. I don't know of any animal that can pick up a rock and throw it so it lands on a branch. Odd. It was a great day, and I am always amazed by the sheer vastness of the wilderness out here. On the way back, we stopped at an overlook to take in the view. 3
Madison5716 Posted September 2, 2020 Posted September 2, 2020 Wow, what an amazing adventure! I am so happy that you both got to go and then actually found the memorial! Great photos. Congratulations! ❤ 1
wiiawiwb Posted September 2, 2020 Posted September 2, 2020 All's well that ends well. Congratulations finding the site and going there with your friend. Very impressive.
hiflier Posted September 2, 2020 Posted September 2, 2020 Your 85 year-old friend is an inspiration along with yourself. And thanks for sharing such a poignant personal moment at the location of the plaque, PNWexplorer.
norseman Posted September 2, 2020 Admin Posted September 2, 2020 8 hours ago, PNWexplorer said: I also found an unusual sign. A rather large, flat rock was sitting on top of a fairly freshly broken off branch. The rock was obviously thrown and landed on the branch. This was in the middle of an old skid trail where no humans have been since the last time my friend visited the site, over a decade ago. I don't know of any animal that can pick up a rock and throw it so it lands on a branch. Odd. It was a great day, and I am always amazed by the sheer vastness of the wilderness out here. On the way back, we stopped at an overlook to take in the view. My dads ashes are buried under a large bull pine snag. Thanks for sharing that!
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