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Yes, we all think alike and that brings me validation that i'm not just seeing what I want to see. This is a really remote site and I could certainly poke around unmolested.
What struck me as significant were two initial items;
first, the symmetry of the green vegetation looks like an old foundation, where moisture collects and stays on/in the ground longer.
Second, was the orchard or garden are at the one o'clock position.
these both look like something man-made in the area. the third thing I noticed right away is the large tree on the edge of the supposed foundation line, looks like neglected landscaping.
Other interesting points are, the holes that Chub (love that moniker, BTW!) mentioned are common in this area, alkaline ponds and dried up bodies of water on basalt. I believe they are a privy and a well. This site sits on a bluff above the river (toecutter.) It's difficult to see the cliffs because of both the severity of the terrain and the sat photo quality. Also, there is a small primitive road just off frame at the 9 o'clock position. the power lines are simple, and I would say this is a homestead, built probably in the very late 1800's (about 1895 or so,) and was probably abandoned in the 1950s. The weather is pretty brutal in this area, so where there might be a structure still standing in other areas, this place is slammed with prairie torrents of driving rain, the baking sun, and subfreezing temps in the winter with a good amount of snow. Also, the wind is a constant here making it pretty harsh.
There is an abandoned sheep ranch about 10 miles south of this site, with many building still standing including the home. Local farmers have most likely used the structures for storage since it shuttered operations in the early 1950s. I'm excited about both sites, and and reluctant to post the second because of a little FOMO! lol
There is a flat area just below the alleged home site and looks to be maybe where the residents parked as a sort of 'country portico.' I can see a potential location for an outbuilding - chicken house, stable, paddock, or something immediately to the left of the site. the tracks you see entering from the left are most likely more recent, from curious area farmhands to mountain bikers looking for a spot to park/start/explore. Also, the lush green belt may be a seepage and most likely contains a watering hole as (IMO) is evident by the game trail penetrating it directly from the bottom.
My idea is, this would be a great site to spend some time exploring, certainly relics, probably bottles from an old trash pile, and probable some coinage still in the ground. This site is WELL off the beaten path and about 90 minutes drive mostly on primitive roads, so I believe nails would be more common than beer tabs. There is one farm house about 5 miles away, at the top of the photo and that person is most likely responsible for plowing the surrounding fields. think a whole twp worth of irrigable land.
Thank you all for taking a look and giving it an earnest inspection!
So IMO;
The square is where I believe the old foundation to be.
The circle, I believe is the loc for an old outbuilding.
The triangle is where I'm certain a watering hole or old well is. My evidence being the lushness of the immediate area is evident of a neglected well or a spring. Doubtful it's just a seasonal depression where moisture collects as evidence by the well used game trail entering directly from the 5:30 position.
The squggly arrows is where I believe the residents used to access the home.
The white arrow I believe to be pointing at the old porch.
And finally, the pink arrows are indicitive of intelligent planting and strikes me as not natural.
View attachment 1841052
So IMO;
The square is where I believe the old foundation to be.
The circle, I believe is the loc for an old outbuilding.
The triangle is where I'm certain a watering hole or old well is. My evidence being the lushness of the immediate area is evident of a neglected well or a spring. Doubtful it's just a seasonal depression where moisture collects as evidence by the well used game trail entering directly from the 5:30 position.
The squggly arrows is where I believe the residents used to access the home.
The white arrow I believe to be pointing at the old porch.
And finally, the pink arrows are indicitive of intelligent planting and strikes me as not natural.
View attachment 1841052