Beyond the Footprints
History is almost everywhere we go. This article explores the author’s fascination with following old traces, learning from the past, and the rare possibility of reaching somewhere no one may have stood before.
Oregon Lost Mines, Legends &
Fieldwork
Lost Cabin Mine
Explore Oregon's lost-mine legends through historical research, annotated maps, treasure-hunting adventures, field notes, and campfire humor.
Along the way, Jimmy and his sketchy raccoon companion turn fieldwork, folklore, and questionable decisions into stories worth telling.
Research
Legends
Oregon lost mines, treasure legends, folklore, and historical mysteries, researched source by source.
Research & Evidence
Articles
Deep dives into historical records, documented sources, maps, and the evidence behind Oregon legends.
Ground Truth
Adventures
Treasure-hunting trips, field observations, route stories, and outdoor misadventures from the places behind the legends.
Articles
Latest Articles
Exploring Althouse Creek: Years of Gold Country, History, and Discovery
Years spent living near and exploring Althouse Creek offered a close look at Southern Oregon gold country, old mining remains, surviving cabins, local stories, and the landscape that later shaped a search for the truth behind the Lost Cabin Mine.
The Missing Two Miles, Part II: Where Did the Gold Go?
Rich placer ground reportedly appeared above and below a puzzling section of Althouse Creek. Part II examines what that missing gold could have represented, why miners kept searching, and one historical interpretation of what may have happened.
Legend Files
Featured Legends
Oregon’s Lost Cabin Mine: Following the Legend
L. W. Musick’s 1896 work preserves early accounts connected with Oregon’s Lost Cabin Mine, including Hall and Thompson, the first searches, and a legend that spread across the Pacific Coast.
Campfire
Campfire
Title: How Treasure Hunting Found Jimmy: The Ant Farm Incident
At five years old, Jimmy set out to find the perfect ants for a new ant farm and instead discovered that not every hole in the ground appreciates being investigated.
How Treasure Hunting Found Jimmy - The Umbrella Incident
At four years old, Jimmy had an umbrella, a mattress landing zone, and complete confidence in the plan. Gravity had other ideas.
It’s the Word “Some” Jimmy Can’t Get Past
One little word keeps sending Jimmy back to the word search. Why does the instruction say “some proper nouns” and could that help narrow down the five clues?
Field Humor
Funnies
Trip 6 - The Raccoon Who Got In Trouble
The Sketchy Raccoon turns a simple situation into snack-related chaos in this Lost Cabin Mine comic.
Trip 5 - The Hotel In The Woods
Jimmy checks into a quiet hotel in the woods, searches absolutely everywhere for the box, and discovers his soggy raccoon supervisor has followed him.
Trip 4 - The Hill That Lied
One more hill. One more bad decision. Jimmy pushes ahead while her exhausted partner questions everything, only for the soggy raccoon supervisor to claim the final victory.
Adventures
In the Field
Adventure #7: Jimmy’s Driving Lessons: Jump the Creek
Jimmy learned to drive a stick shift the sensible way: by pointing an old truck at a creek, saying “I got this,” and letting momentum handle the details.
Adventure #6: One Of Jimmy's Favorite Bad Ideas
Some treasures aren't found in the woods. Some are parked in your driveway... waiting for a bad idea and a full tank of denial.
Adventure #5: The Hotel In The Woods
Mabel and her search partner find shelter in a strange hotel where the woods seem determined to follow them inside.