Twenty-five miles from the nearest paved road sits a cabin deep in the Sheep Mountains of Nevada. The “Hidden Forest Cabin” has been there for 100 years and is a popular hiking destination. After driving 20 miles on a dirt road, you have to hike 5.5 miles with a 2,000-foot ascent to reach the cabin.
In partnership with the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Parker and his helpers built a latrine near the cabin to accommodate the visitors. Over three months they hiked to the cabin three separate times totaling 33 miles. After working with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist and archeologist to select the location, the team of Scouts hiked up again to dig the pit. Parker then built the latrine at his house and deconstructed it for transportation.
Using a team of four mules donated by the Back Country Horsemen of Nevada, the lumber and tools were carried up to the cabin. Parker and his team of Scouts hiked up for a third and final time to reconstruct the latrine over the vault.
In total, 316 hours were spent on this project, not to mention the 180 cumulative hours spent hiking 33 miles. Parker knew this was going to be a challenging project, but thanks to the staff at the US Fish and Wildlife, Back Country Horsemen of Nevada, and the Scouts and adult leaders of Troop 678, he believes his project was a huge success.
— Parker, Troop 678, Las Vegas, Nev.
Well done Parker! A brilliant project. Hikers are grateful to you for your labors!
Great project! 🙂
One question: Who cleans it? Porta-johns and other outdoor bathroom facilities have to be emptied at times for sanitary purposes. Whose responsibility is this one? Just curious.
Good job, Parker
Good question hahahahaha