Any desolate US land owners or inhabitants here ?

[BigAl]

I guess 95% of the people here on TBN would consider my ranch in Idaho as desolate or isolated . I think it is just about the right distance away . Yes, we have power ,but our nieghbors do not . Are closest neighbors are Elk ,wolves ,deer ,bear , moose and turkeys . More wild Elk grow up here than cattle on the ranch .Town is a gas station/ cafe in one .You can pick up a spark plug for your ATV or chainsaw here but they need to order anything else . A handgun on your side does not even draw attention . A Treehugger will be kicked out of town ,if he is lucky! We have a small store for food supplies .If the moose are in town watch out for the kids as a mother moose can be very protective of her young. They say 350 people live here ,but I do not know where they are hiding . We lost are power over 100 times last year .The road ends here . An ATV is considered a sports car here ! I would not give up my place here, for the greatest mansion in Beverly Hills .The closest big town is 54 miles down the river road .The nieghbor is only a phone call away and they always show up to help . Cell phones don't work here . Life is Good !

 

[cowboydoc]

Sounds like you're up in Northern Idaho Al. We've got about 12,000 acres down by New Meadows, Id. It used to be pretty desolate until, and no offense to California, it became the California wealthy's new haven. Now there is a multi-million dollar hotel, the small ski resort is a big resort, and the hotel on the lake was bought by a california billionaire. All the good elk ground has been sold off for 20 acre cabins, etc. It's not what it used to be for sure.

 

[jmc]

In 1979 a friend and I went cross country on motorcycles during the oil embargo. We liked to take the unlabeled roads on the map that went in the right general direction. With small tanks, you not only had to be careful out there but time your arrivals in civilization to normal business hours. One particular day way out west somewhere we planned a gas stop at a "town" that was the only one for miles on one of those unlabeled roads. When we got there, it was just a jog in the road with a cattle facility of some sort. Not even a human being much less a business there. Can't figure out why it was on the map.

 

[BigAl]

We go through New Meadows every now and then . I even looked at it at one time to live there . Your are right about the growth . It has really taken off .
We do not have any ski resorts and unless your coming to Elk City there is not much else here . The mines have shut down and the poor timber sales are really hurting the local economy . We still have lots of Elk ,but the reintroduction of the wolves are taking a heavy toll on the Elk Numbers now . The life expectancy of a Wolf in these parts is very short , if we can grab the rifle fast enough . What were they thinking ???
If you have 12000 acres than you must be one of the last big hold outs in your area . Man I would not want to pay Capital Gains Tax on that .We have a few Californians that have moved into the area ,but most are good hard working folks ,and not in the millionaire class .We don't have anything here to impress a millionaire anyway ! Most were just looking to find a better way of life and leave the bull sh*# behind .
Heck , around here if you don't have 4 pickups in the front yard and 3 of which don't run you would be considered strange . But ,I kinda like it that way .
Allen

 

[Sigarms]

May not count, but you guys should know the area.

Spent A LONG time living in my car kayaking out in your neck of the woods. River just outside of Riggins that was intense in springtime.

Spent about about a month around the north fork of the clearwater. Creeks galore and running high.

Did Hells canyon same time frame..

There were two "creeks" around Crouch that was a blast as well (one being the middle fork of the salmon).

After that went up to Pierce for some more water.

North Fork of the Payette was INTENSE. Anyone not knowing the area, you need to chek it out (best roadside boating in the WORLD).

Total about 8 months living in my car out there.

Spent a good time in Salmon.

Somthing to be said for a hotspring on a moonlit night.

Don't miss how all the $$$ has ruined (sp?) the area though.

California, got to love 'em.

 

[tpost]

The oil embargo was 1974,unless we had another embargo in 1979,although I do remember the prices taking a jump in 1979.

 

[cowboydoc]

Sig,

Riggins is just up the road from our place. We rent some ground up there.

Al,

You are where we are thinking of going. This ranch I own with my uncle and he's about had it with that area. He's been there for 30 years now. He really wants to go up to Elk City area. The ranches up there big enough to run a spread though are getting sold for more than what we could turn this place over and buy up there. When and if we sell it would just be a turnover deal into another place. No way I'd give Uncle Sam anymore than I have to. Plus with more snow and cold you would need more ground to run the same amount of pairs. With all the environmental wackos bidding on the forest grazing rights it has gotten way out of hand.

 

[tpost]

That sounds pretty remote...are you up in the mountains ??You getting lots of snow now ??

 

[BigAl]

Richard ,
There is 250 acres that just came on the market this summer . $700,000. plus . It is very good grazing land with Water rights ,I am told . Big Elk Creek runs through it with great Salmon fishing . Price is a little high and I am sure it could be picked up for alot less . There is one heck of a Elk Herd that is there about 6 months a year . Elk City just does not have enough private land for a ranch of your size . The forest service does lease out all around us through the summer though .A heavy snow year is about 4 to 5 feet here .
Allen

 

[BigAl]

tpost,
We are surrounded by three wilderness areas. Yes , we are in the mountains . I am in California helping my Dad recover from a Heart Attack right now . Elk City had about two plus feet on the ground , as of this weekend , when I talked with my nieghbor . I am going back to check on the old place on the 27th and hope it has not added to much more or I will spend all my time moving snow . It shows it is snowing there now . Last year we never had more than about 14 inches at any one time ,but this year looks to be a average winter .
Al