- EDDIE HATCH CABIN
In 1999, John Azar worked on the restoration of the Eddie Hatch Cabin at the confluence of Kanab Creek and Snake Gulch. The materials were packed in on mules and it took 10-12 days.
1995 - MUAV SADDLE CABIN by Joan Azar [excerpt from January 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
My favorite cabin within the Grand Canyon is located on Muav Saddle. It is one of three identical "snowshoe" exterior-framed patrol cabins built under the direction of the Park Serivice in 1925 in conjunction with improvements to the trail from Swamp Point to Powell Plateau. The Muav Saddle Cabin and the Kanabowitts Cabin are the only ones remaining today. The Muav Saddle Cabin, known in Mormon country as "Teddy's Cabin," was almost destroyed by the summer fire of 1988 that burned around 3,000 acres on and below Powell Plateau. The flames reached within 100 feet of the cabin before being brought under control.
During the heavy snow storm in the early spring of 1991, four hiking companions and I came up the North Bass Trail to Muav Saddle. After a grueling, slippery climb up the muddy trail, we took refuge in the cabin. I was hypothermic, my core temperature had lowered due to the cold and wet clothes, and a night inside the cabin was a welcome relief. I crawled into my down bag and slept on one of the cots that was in the cabin at that time. It was then that I came up with the idea to restore "Teddy's" cabin.
I've pestered the NPS until they have agreed to allow me and a few others to do the work. Two members of the crew will be Boy Scouts from the Kanab/Fredonia area. All labor is voluntary and the NPS will sling in the materials and sling out the trash by helicopter from the North Rim heliport. We have projected the work to begin by June 1, 1995.
The cost of new shingles, window glass, and other materials will be in the neighborhood of $1,200 to $1,500.
UPDATE ON MUAV SADDLE PROJECT [from the August 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
John Azar reports for the Grand Canyon Preservation Group.
He has submitted a complete breakdown of those who donated money to the cause and a list of material costs to complete the project. Briefly this information is as follows:
Donors for the project: Jim Ohlman, George Steck, Gene Wendt, Grand Canyon Pioneers Society, William Driscoll, William Suran, John Azar, Tom Smigel, and Paul Frigo.
Those who voluneered their service and labor for the project: George Steck, Steve Hamblin, Doug Brown, Tom Smigel, Paul Frigo, Marc Ahlen, Tom Gunderson, Tom Wilder, and John Azar.
The total amount donated was $1,098.99. Total cost of the project: $898.99. The $200 balance will be used by the Group for other projects of restoration in the Grand Canyon.
A REPORT ON TEDDY'S CABIN by John Azar [from the October 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
The restoration began on June 1, 1995, as scheduled. Because of the heavy snow pack, the trip out to Swamp Point from VT Ranch was somewhat of an obstacle. However, by June 3 all of the work crew arrived and we went into full gear on the project. The first helicopter delivery arrived on June 2, and was quite exciting. The pilot, Jerry Bonner, put the load of concrete mix and shingles right on the orange "X" marked on the ground by the NPS spotters. This was accomplished in a moderate wind using a 200-foot cable suspending the sling below the helicopter.
We were greeted the first day on the job by "Fred" the rattlesnake. He lives under the cabin keeping the mouse population down, and really didn't want to leave home. I finally coaxed him out from under the building on the morning of the third. It was cold and he was moving slowly, even though I was scratching the ground near him with a hoe. He finally decided he would let us do our work, and we didn't see him again.
It snowed on just June 8. My installation of the new wood shingles was hampered by the nest of hornets living in the attic. Because of Park policy, I didn't feel right killing the "pesky" things and ended up getting stung twice.
We finished on June 10 except for a quick return visit that I will tend to in July. The dry rot ruined more wood members than I had anticipated, so I will carry a six foot 2x6 down with some dark stain to help make the new wood match the old.
I plan on doing some more restoration work in the Canyon. The Park Service is planning on fixing up Pasture Wash Ranger Station and using it as a classroom. I will probably help in some way using the last $200 of the donations toward the project.
1999 In 1999, John Azar worked on the restoration of the Eddie Hatch Cabin at the confluence of Kanab Creek and Snake Gulch. The materials were packed in on mules and it took 10-12 days.
1995 - MUAV SADDLE CABIN by Joan Azar [excerpt from January 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
My favorite cabin within the Grand Canyon is located on Muav Saddle. It is one of three identical "snowshoe" exterior-framed patrol cabins built under the direction of the Park Serivice in 1925 in conjunction with improvements to the trail from Swamp Point to Powell Plateau. The Muav Saddle Cabin and the Kanabowitts Cabin are the only ones remaining today. The Muav Saddle Cabin, known in Mormon country as "Teddy's Cabin," was almost destroyed by the summer fire of 1988 that burned around 3,000 acres on and below Powell Plateau. The flames reached within 100 feet of the cabin before being brought under control.
During the heavy snow storm in the early spring of 1991, four hiking companions and I came up the North Bass Trail to Muav Saddle. After a grueling, slippery climb up the muddy trail, we took refuge in the cabin. I was hypothermic, my core temperature had lowered due to the cold and wet clothes, and a night inside the cabin was a welcome relief. I crawled into my down bag and slept on one of the cots that was in the cabin at that time. It was then that I came up with the idea to restore "Teddy's" cabin.
I've pestered the NPS until they have agreed to allow me and a few others to do the work. Two members of the crew will be Boy Scouts from the Kanab/Fredonia area. All labor is voluntary and the NPS will sling in the materials and sling out the trash by helicopter from the North Rim heliport. We have projected the work to begin by June 1, 1995.
The cost of new shingles, window glass, and other materials will be in the neighborhood of $1,200 to $1,500.
UPDATE ON MUAV SADDLE PROJECT [from the August 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
John Azar reports for the Grand Canyon Preservation Group.
He has submitted a complete breakdown of those who donated money to the cause and a list of material costs to complete the project. Briefly this information is as follows:
Donors for the project: Jim Ohlman, George Steck, Gene Wendt, Grand Canyon Pioneers Society, William Driscoll, William Suran, John Azar, Tom Smigel, and Paul Frigo.
Those who voluneered their service and labor for the project: George Steck, Steve Hamblin, Doug Brown, Tom Smigel, Paul Frigo, Marc Ahlen, Tom Gunderson, Tom Wilder, and John Azar.
The total amount donated was $1,098.99. Total cost of the project: $898.99. The $200 balance will be used by the Group for other projects of restoration in the Grand Canyon.
A REPORT ON TEDDY'S CABIN by John Azar [from the October 1995 issue of The Ol'Pioneer]
The restoration began on June 1, 1995, as scheduled. Because of the heavy snow pack, the trip out to Swamp Point from VT Ranch was somewhat of an obstacle. However, by June 3 all of the work crew arrived and we went into full gear on the project. The first helicopter delivery arrived on June 2, and was quite exciting. The pilot, Jerry Bonner, put the load of concrete mix and shingles right on the orange "X" marked on the ground by the NPS spotters. This was accomplished in a moderate wind using a 200-foot cable suspending the sling below the helicopter.
We were greeted the first day on the job by "Fred" the rattlesnake. He lives under the cabin keeping the mouse population down, and really didn't want to leave home. I finally coaxed him out from under the building on the morning of the third. It was cold and he was moving slowly, even though I was scratching the ground near him with a hoe. He finally decided he would let us do our work, and we didn't see him again.
It snowed on just June 8. My installation of the new wood shingles was hampered by the nest of hornets living in the attic. Because of Park policy, I didn't feel right killing the "pesky" things and ended up getting stung twice.
We finished on June 10 except for a quick return visit that I will tend to in July. The dry rot ruined more wood members than I had anticipated, so I will carry a six foot 2x6 down with some dark stain to help make the new wood match the old.
I plan on doing some more restoration work in the Canyon. The Park Service is planning on fixing up Pasture Wash Ranger Station and using it as a classroom. I will probably help in some way using the last $200 of the donations toward the project.