Lumbering in Colorado 57 



and the smaller tops leaned up around the sides of the pile 

 so it will not blow over. Where brush is piled by contract, the 

 price ranges from fifty to seventy-five cents per thousand. 



Log hauling is started as soon as sawing can begin. In 

 the Rockies there are two common methods of logging, by sleds 

 and by carts. This depends entirely upon the steepness of the 

 slopes. If they are comparatively steep, sleds are always used, 

 but when the tract slopes slightly or is level, carts are used. 

 Sleds would pull too hard on level ground without snow and 

 carts could scarcely be held back on steep pitches. Four horses 

 are necessary and it is seldom that only two are used. The 

 second team is always hitched ahead. It is necessary that the 

 logger be an exceptionally good teamster and know how to 

 handle his horses in tight places. The roads are often poor 

 and he must be continually on the look-out or he will upset or 

 run into a tree. On steep grades the load actually pushes the 

 horses ahead of it, and unless they are trained they are likely 

 to be run over and killed. In some cases, a chain is tied around 

 the runner to aid in holding back the load. This is called a 

 " rough-lock." 



The sleds are single. They have a "bunk" about four feet 

 long, extending out over the runner six inches on each side. The 

 runners are heavy, three to four inches wide and shod with steel 

 their entire length. The bunk is seldom over two feet above 

 the ground, and is merely a heavy timber upon which the logs 

 are loaded. The sleds are always equipped with a regular tongue 

 and a heavy pair of whiffle trees. The lead team is hitched by 

 means of a chain or iron rod attached directly to the sled and 

 running up underneath the tongue. At the center of the bunk 

 is fastened two long heavy chains which are used in "binding" 

 the logs. An extra chain much longer is provided to throw 

 around the entire load. Short standards which can be removed 

 are set in at the ends of the bunk to hold the first layer of logs. 

 It is quite necessary that the logs be bound very tight for the 

 roads are rough and the slopes steep. 



The logging cart differs only in having wheels. It is about 

 the regulation width and height and instead of the common 

 bolster there is a heavy timber, the "bunk" running the full 

 length between the wheels. It is usually higher than common, 

 almost level with the tops of the wheels. 



At the skidway the logs are rolled onto sleds or carts by 

 means of a short stick called a "skid." The loading is easy 

 because the skidway is made so the lower edge will be slightly 

 higher than the bunk of the sled or cart. In the case of the 

 largest logs, the butt ends are placed on the bunk so the load 





