Chapter 5: At Goddard Bar

Upon leaving Pete King Ranger Station I was quartered at Goddard Bar, a deserted cabin a few miles up the Selway branch.

It was my duty to repair the trail where water coming down the mountain had washed it out. The mountain was so steep that a stone rolling down had buried itself in the trunk. The photo [above] shows this stone, which had descended a possible 2000 feet at about 45 degrees. I am glad I was not there. Later I took pleasure in starting large ones from the outcrop at the top of the mountain and watching them crash a thousand feet to a lake below. No man ever went there, so I was not taking chances [photo].

  

While at Goddard Bar I fished for the large trout that the river contained in large numbers. They ran from twelve to eighteen inches in length and would jump clear of the water to take the fly. I used an alder pole, and had no trouble to obtain a good mess. I had to wade up to my neck, though.

My stay at Goddard Bar lasted a couple of days, while I repaired the trail. I cooked meals in the fireplace -- even baked bread under the tutelage of a government packer whose name I believe to have been Tom Allison. One fellow who stayed there attempted for the first time to cook rice. He filled a large basin within an inch of the top with rice and started to boil it. Before he was through, there was rice coming out the windows, I guess. I am sure the little shack would never hold it.

 

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