Meany History

Compiled by Walt Little, addressed to Ray Nelson and Dave Claar

Cover page: 1. Herewith Meany outline history. It consolidates all my old notes, and I’ve added some from memory. Probably there are mistakes. 2. Also, herewith is a revised property map.

1927

Mountaineer Skiers determined that another ski hut, additional to Snoqualmie Lodge, was needed. The background of this was to establish a string of mountain huts, similar to the Alps. The choices in 1927, had to be limited to areas served by railroads, There being no winter highways. A scouting committee traveled on the NorthernPacific Railroad (NPRR now BNSF), stayed overnight in a box car at the western end of the Stampede Pass tunnel, skied across Stampede Pass, and found a site on the East end of the tunnel. The site chosen was later found to be the location of the 1886-88 construction camp used for tunnel construction. It was called “Tunnel City”; later the name was changed to “Martin” when the NPRR established an operating base at the eastern portal of the tunnel.

1928

SUMMER

University of Washington Professor, Edmond S. Meany, was president of the Mountaineers’ for 25 years. He was not a skier, however he purchased the land for the new cabin, 54 acres for $125 and donated it to the Mountaineers. Consequently the new cabin was named “Meany Ski Hut”.

AUTUMN

• Wood Cabin constructed, 20’ X 50’, with main floor and attic floors for dormitories
• Kitchen at the east end, heating stove at west
• Coal from NPRR for fuel
• Coleman lanterns for lights
• Water piped in from nearby creek
• No inside lining
• Lumber from Cabin Creek Sawmill
• Two outside pit toilets

Dedicated in Edmond Meany’s honor on November 11th.

1929

• First ski season (Dec 28 - Apr 29) - Touring skiing
• Access via NPRR passenger train - $2 per round trip

1930

• Added pantry to West end - 8’X20’, one story, lean-to roof.
• Cleared 2nd growth and brush from Hell’s Half-acre, a patch to north of the Lane and at the bottom of slope.

1931

• Two loggers hired with funds donated.
• Loggers cleared the Lane, but left 3’-4’ high stumps, and left downed trees all criss-crossed. Unsatisfactory performance.

1932

• Continue to straighten up mess left by loggers last year.
• Logs from downed trees laid parallel on fall line of slope
• Stumps still 3’-4’ high.

1938

• Constructed rope tow
• Powered by gasoline Fordson tractor
• Maple driving rims bolted on to large rear wheels
• Tractor propped up clear of floor
• Tow Hut made of logs cut from trees which came from Lane widening
• Head pulley mounted on tree about 70% uphill.
• Vertical about 280’
• No safety gate

1939

• Dec 38 - Apr 39.
• First season with rope tow. Pattern of skiing changed from 100% touring to mostly tow hill skiing. Patronage of Meany approximately doubled.

Summer 1939

• Constructed 25’X 30’ addition on east end of ski hut
• 4 stories, basement, main floor, 2 dormitories floors in attic.
• New burning furnace in basement
• Kitchen moved to West end.
• Fuel is wood and coal in furnace, coal in kitchen.
• Inside toilets in basement
• washing sinks in basement and kitchen
• water supply line changed to enter new basement
• Installed gasoline-generator and wiring for electric lights
• Discarded Coleman lanterns
• Put finish flooring and inside lining in both new addition and old hut building

Access to hut continues to be local NPRR passenger trains on NPRR. Some park at Rustic Inn, on Snoqualmie highway, and ski 3 miles to hut.

1943

• Low snow year, 36” max.
• Lane skiing poor because of logs and high stumps
• Extended Mach tow to new head pole at top of the “Lane”. Vertical drop now ~340.
• Install safety gate

1944

• Another low snow year, 30” max.
• Summer - began program to remove all logs from “Lane” and sawed stumps down flush with ground
• Construct additional drying room space in basement 10’ X 10’, (by digging under original building)

1945

• Continue program to remove logs & stumps from Lane
• Install headpole on Mach at the top of lane.
• Vertical now ~380
• Install safety gate

1946

• Rebuilt mach tow
• Replace Fordson tractor driving system with chev engine
• Boeing jig for base and truck rear end for reduction gear
• BRRH 87b, gear ratio 6:7
• For drive wheels used wood rims originally mounted on Fordson tractor drive wheels

1948

• Construct generator hut
• Move motor generator from pantry to generator hut
• Hut is 6’ X 10’ one story about 50’ west of the lodge

1949

• Install new kitchen range, propane fueled

1952

February 13 - Easement granted to Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for electric power transmission line across Meany property for $800. See Map for location.

1953

BPA logs off transmission line right-of-way, part on Meany property, part on adjacent USFS property.

1954

• BPA constructed transmission line, 287 KV
• cleared area added much variety to Meany skiing
• Area christened Lower Slobbovia because it resembled the mythical country in Al Capp’s cartoon strip “L’ll Abner”

1955

• Reconstruct water supply dam
• The power line contractor had destroyed the original dam and rebuilt it very poorly.
• Contractor paid the Meany volunteers to rebuild it properly

1956

• Begin work to relocate and rebuild Mach Tow
• Purpose to gain better access to Lower Slobbovia and a better loading area at bottom of Lane

1957

• Complete relocation of “Mach” Tow
• New head pole moved 200’ south and 30’ higher
• New tow hut moved 150’ north on ground 20’ lower.
• Vertical now 430’, length 1,000’
• New tow hut is frame construction; basement floor, main floor and attic
• Chev. engine moved from previous tow hut
• Safety gate wiring improved

1960

• April: Northern Pacific RR discontinued Passenger Train service
• thus terminate access to Meany
• Bombardier snow tractor rented from Symington with option to purchase - $460/mo.
• If tractor not adequate Meany discontinues

1961

• Access to Meany is by automobile to highway highway overpass near Rustic Inn, exit 62.
• Cars park on overpass ramps
• from thence snow tractor conveys skiers to Meany
• Some ride on tractor, most ride their skis and are towed behind the tractor
• Snow tractor proved adequate; hauled max load of 82 skiers
• Feb 16th, purchased snow tractor - $5,448
• Construct Edifus Wreck below RR track to Serve as gas station for snow tractor

1962

• Lower Lane bulldozed to improve approach to Mach tow
• Puget Power constructed power line up North Slobbovia, under impression they were on BPA easement, actually they trespassed on Meany property
• In return for easement, Puget removed pole line, buried 7,000v line, bulldozed and sawed stumps
• Flood and mud slide wipe out USFS bridge over Stampede Pass.
• Log bridge, suitable for Meany winter use, built by volunteers in a sunny weekend in fresh powder.

1963

• Constructed power line from Martin Station to Meany (600’)
• 2400v 60hz, single phase, to bring power to Meany
• Motor gen now on standby.
• All Martin RR buildings now removed (Martin made automatic)
• Improved ski return trail from Lower Slobbovia to Mach

1964

• Mach Tow: new rope installed - $400
• Snow Tractor (Tomcat) - New tracks - $1400.
• New type grousers
• endless belts composite of steel, cotton fabric and rubber.
• Original tracks used 1961-64, 4 seasons. In 1964 much belt breakage and patching.

1965

• Mach Tow - Installed new higher head pole
• Changed driver hub to truck type tapered nuts
• Vertical on tow still 430’

1966

• Hut - replaced original cedar shingles with corrugated galvanized iron roofing
• Changed propane tanks from 400# to 200# size.
• Now use propane to fuel kitchen stove
• Widened access trail above NPRR tracks to permit vehicle access to hut
• New footings under hut
• Access - State highway dept (WaDOT) posted signs prohibiting parking on ramps of overpass, exit 62.
• Ox - purchased 1954 Dodge Power Wagon, 4X4 - $200, for use on property. Welded broken frame and ground valves.

1967

• Hut - Added East end fire escape and fire warning system.
• Access - state hiway dept. plowed parking space on road from exit 62 overpass toward Lake Kachees
• Mach - Replaced engine with 1964 Chev truck, 6 cyl, 230 ci
• Also replaced transmission with 4 speed B1180 13GM-T-3761930 with gear ratios 7.06, 3.58, 1.71, 0.00, Reverse 6.78

1968

• Access: Dickinson starts snowmobile rental operation near Milwaukee RR Crossing
• Plows access road to his operation
• Plows parking for Meany near Milwaukee tracks - $200
• State Highway plows parking area in new area on SE corner of overpass, exit 62

1969

• Dickinson ceases operation
• State highway parking in SE corner of exit 62 overpass
• Mach Tow - Construct midway tower
• Relocate safety gate wiring direct from midway tower to tow hut on 3 new poles
• Revised idler pulley on main drive
• Snow tractor - tracks installed in 64 lasted 4 seasons but in 1969 much breakage and patching
• New design belts made by Meany made of conveyor rubber belting.
• Bastron Std. 315 Dacron 3 ply synthetic rubber.

1970

• Access - State Highway discontinued snow removal from parking area
• Meany eked out by using road to Lake Kachess, with help from Rustic Inn.
• twice hired bulldozer from logger and much manual shoveling
• Mach Tow - Install new poly dacron two rope (Plymouth I) on Feb 7, 1970.
• Proved defective.
• Plymouth replaces in March 1970, no charge (Plymouth II)
• New idler in main drive, now 4 groves in driver an 5 in idler.
• Ox - New and larger bed

1971

• Hut
  • Dig out additional drying room in basement 10’ x 10’
  • Put concrete floor in enlarged drying room 10’ x 20’
  • New chimney on furnace
  • Add west end fire escape
• Access: State Highway plowed parking SE corner lot. money from USFS
• Mach
  • Plymouth II rope proved defective.
  • Installed new rope. American mfg Co. SS-R-200 poly dacron
  • Negotiations with Plymouth for settlement for defective rope failed, and Mountaineers filed lawsuit, settled out-of-court for $320
• Snow Tractor (Tom Cat)
  • taken to Seattle for rebuild
  • Install rebuilt Chev 6, 292ci
  • convert to 12v system
  • Install chev 3 step hydromatic transmission
  • vertical radiator
  • new engine box
  • Later 3 crankshafts successively failed because of destruction of thrust bearing.
  • Finally determined that automatic transmission was developing end thrust on engine
  • engine bearings not designed for this and failed
  • Reinstalled old Chrysler 252 engine and stick shift transmission for 1971 season.

1972

• Hut
  • Removed original drying room
  • Add wood storage room under hut
  • Previous basement wood storage space converted to drying room
  • Water supply line changed 500’ of 1¼” black iron pipe to 2” plastic
• Snow Tractor
  • Install rebuilt chev 6 cyl 292ci engine and 4 speed truck manual transmission
  • Replaced ring gear and bearings in steering differential
• Access: State highway plowed parking on SE corner lot; money from State Parks
• Railroad: NPRR and Burlington merge; Stampede route is now BNRR

1973

• Hut: new sink, cold water only in basement
• Mach Tow: added air actuated brake on idler pulley in main drive to ensure stoppage of tow rope when safety gate opened
• Replaced 19” top pulley on head pole with 34” diameter
• Worm: new rope tow to a point about halfway up lane. Vertical about 160’, length about 450’
• very slow for beginners
• Electric motor + spare parts cost ~ $300
• Snow tractor: overhauled Tom Cat’s running gear, tires and bearings.

1974

• Hut
  • Rebuilt water supply dam in Tombstone Creek
  • Replaced old 1¼” black steel pipe with 2” plastic
  • Water supply line is now 500’ of 2” galvanized steel and 1,132’ of 2” plastic
  • Moved propane tanks to generator hut
• Mach
  • Erect quarter pole halfway between tow hut and midway with halyards and hooks to raise tow ropes high above snow during unused periods
• Worm
  • Repowered with 7.5 HP electric motor and converter to enable 3 phase motor to run on 1 phase supply
• Snow Tractor
  • Complete overhaul of tracks and bearings
  • New tires on rear wheels

1975

• Hut
  • New sinks and water in dorms
  • New sink and counter in dish washer
• Access
  • State Parks considering transfer of Sno Park from exit 62 overpass to Price creek. Meany protests vigorously.
  • New bill by WA state legislature establishes Sno-Park system
• Mach Tow
  • Overhaul engine, new camshaft, ground valves
  • New counter weight located in Tow Hut
• Worm Tow
  • Revise winch and take-up at head pole (tree)
  • Bridge across top of safety gate poles.
  • On top of bridge a carrier pulley for return rope
• Snow Tractor
  • new roof
  • new driving axles
  • new muffler
  • Jan 20 On Sunday evening outward trip at Yakima River bridge, broke con-rod in engine. Bad snow contributed. Broken con-rod breached pan dumping engine oil. By bandaging pan, tying rope to restrain flailing con-rod, using 5 cylinders and 16 quarts of oil, managed to run tractor out to overpass. In ensuing 3 days, volunteers assembled a replacement engine and installed in tractor - no loss of weekend time.

1976

• Hut
  • Grooming all around Lodge, particular the Industrial Area
  • Eliminate rubbish dump over bank at East end
  • Make holding bins for cans and glass at generator bldg.
• Access
  • State Parks locates sno-park in SE corner of exit 62 overpass
  • also will plow ramp and road to Crystal camp (0.4 mi)
  • Meany protests in vain against the plowing road
• Snow Tractor
  • Installed bearings on exterior ends of driving sprocket axles to save wear on spline on interior ends
• Mach
  • Replace 4 speed truck transmission
  • Replace all halyards
  • Improve safety gate at top

1977

• Access
  • Sno-Park continues on SE corner of exit 62 overpass
• Mach Tow
  • New air compressor for operations of pneumatic brake on idler in main drive
  • Add shut-offs for cooling fluid overheat and “low engine oil pressure”
  • Add new outside stop switch at bottom loading area
• Tomcat
  • this machine, previously listed as “snow tractor” renamed to distinguish it from Pack Rat snow tractor.
  • Add over speed governor
  • Construct 14’ X 17’ concrete slab to facilitate maintenance
• Pack Rat
  • For purpose of packing snow, purchased Thiokol Sprite at GSA auction complete w/highway trailer for $4,000
  • Sold trailer for $1200
  • Installed governor on engine, Ford Industrial 170ci, 4 cyl
  • Construct roller of galvanized corrugated iron, 30” diameter x 10’

1978

• Hut
  • Improved plumbing and shut-off valves where supply line enters basement under hatch in men’s toilet
• Access
  • Sno-park continues at SE corner of exit 62 overpass
• Tom Cat
  • Jan 23-24 Bolt on forward left-hand bogie set failed. Replaced overnight with new and stronger bolt

1979

• Hut
  • Add electric water heater: existing propane fueled water heater insufficient capacity
  • New locks, bars and road gates all around to deter potential thieves
• Mach Tow
  • Install 2 underground 500 gallon gas tanks to replace barrel storage; pump and plumbing
  • New motor on compressor for air brake.
  • New rings and grind valves in tow engine

1980

• Hut
  • Power connection to BNRR interrupted by falling tree. Connection restored temporarily, but BNRR advises their power line over Stampede Pass is to be abandoned
• Cat House
  • Constructed new shop building, 12’ x 12’, 1st floor, 2nd floor and attic. Move all tools and hardware from lodge basement
• Mach Tow
  • Install new tow rope. Last one installed March 1971, ~ 9½ years use
  • old rope still usable on Worm
• Tom Cat
  • Replaced rubber track belts, some grousers
  • Old belts installed in 1969, 11 years
  • Material is Goodyear Plylon 3150 synthetic rubber. 3 nylon plies. Rated strength is 315# per inch of width
• Pack Rat
  • Replace rubber track belts

1981

• Hut opened only 3 weekends during ski season, snow deficient
• Constructed power transmisison to connect Meany system to Puget Sound Power Line on South side of Meany property. ~500 ft
• Transformers to convert supply at 7000v to 2400v.
• Meter at point of tie to supply line
• BNRR revised trackage at east end of tunnel to substitute one track for three and lengthen radius of curvate
• Mach Tow: New mounting for lower pulley at Tow Hut to control rope twist

1982

• Hut: Convert ex-shop space in basement to First Aid and drying room
• New concrete slab 16’ X 20’ to facilitate maintenance on Pack-Rat
• Access: Sno-Park ticket price now $7.50 per season
• Mach
  • Realigned 4” X 4” steel track on front of tow hut
  • Added 7’ X 8’ lean-to on North corner of tow hut for gas pump station and line hardware storage
  • Construct wheelways in basement of Tow Hut for winter storage of Ox
• Ox: Repaired brakes
• Tom Cat
  • Overhaul engine
  • Replace track bolts
  • Repair running gear, particularly front bogies
• Pack Rat: Remove and service differential and rear axles

1983

• Graded area on north side of hut to get more flat area
• New picnic area
• Mach: revise interior of Tow Hut
• Pack Rat: install new radiator

1984

• Woodshed added to North side of basement 8’ X 24’
• Men’s dorm improved rebuilt bunks
• New sinks and hot water supply
• Donated carpet laid in all dorms
• Fire control sprinkler system in basement
• Access
  • Sno-Park moved to Price Creek
  • Sons of Norway (Trollhagen) and Meany obtain USFS permit for private parking lot near exit 62 overpass
  • Meany provided steel gate, Sons of Norway did needed grading
  • Snow removal by hired bulldozer. Cost for same divided

1985

• Access: Sons of Norway improved grading at parking lot entrance
• Rewire all basement electric circuits all of which were overloaded
• Installed new electric control panels and switches in pantry
• Power supply to Cat House put underground
• Construct new structure on East end, combining fire escape, front entrance, basement entrance, and ski room. Replaces inadequate front porch.
• Everybody scared by two nearby forest fires
  • Forest fire at south end of Lake Keechelus burns to Meadow Creek (2.5 mi from Meany)
  • Small fire NW of Lodge across Martin Creek, was put out by Meany people
• Railroad: BNRR stops use of Stampede tunnel
• Telephone
  • Pile line over Stampede Pass deteriorated; therefore abandoned
  • construct new line through stampede tunnel to a connection with telephone company at West end of tunnel

1986

• Hut
  • Fire prevention sprinklers installed in kitchen and near chimney
  • Add dead end hardware on trees supporting power line between lodge and tows
  • Disconnects added at power pole at Mach tow
  • Removed danger trees near hut
  • Trash cleaned from areas near hut to aid in stopping a ground fire
• Mach Tow
  • Construct control tower (tow operators sit and watch) as required by insurance policy and lift safety codes
• Turtle Tow
  • Short, slow tow planned for beginners. Clearning and grading of site just east of Mach

1987

• Revise kitchen
• Added fire prevention sheeting
• Revise plumbing
• Move range from west wall to south wall
• Moved hot water tanks to under counter
• Super Worm Tow
  • New rope tow where Worm tow used to be.
  • Parts donated by Crystal Mountain Ski area.
  • Electric motor 20 HP.
  • Vertical 160’, length 510’
  • Goes faster, carries more people than worm. Medium speed.
• Turtle Tow
  • New rope tow made with parts donated by Crystal Mountain and salvaged from Worm Tow
  • Electric motor 7.5 HP
  • Vertical 30’, length 190’
  • speed: very slow

1988

• Access: clear for winter road to bypass bridge site on Mosquito Creek
• Railroad
  • In July, fire destroyed portal structure/snow shed at East end of Stampede tunnel
  • Meany is close to this portal and had the fire spread, could have burned, also.
  • About 900’ of Meany telephone destroyed
  • Railroad tracks destroyed for perhaps 500’
  • Public fire prevention groups extinguished the fire quickly
• Telephone
  • Rebuilt damaged phone line
• Ox
  • Replaced frame with frame from wrecked truck in Othello, plus much maintenance

1989

• Hut
  • Construct new 4000 gallon septic and 400’ of drain pipe
  • Construct new gasoline storage station near Cat House
  • See below under Mach Tow

• Refurbish Telephone cabin

• Access
  • Sno-Park move from Price Creek to Crystal springs rock pit, located about 0.5m West of Exit 62 overpass.
  • Meany will use this and will terminate use of private lot near overpass
• Railroad
  • In July, fire burned portal structure and fan house at West end of Stampede tunnel, including about 1500’ of Meany’s telephone line
• Telephone: Phone Company replaces burned up line and restores service
• Mach Tow
  • Because of new code restrictions against buried fuel tanks, dug up 2 buried 500 gallon gasoline tanks used by “Mach”
  • Cleaned, painted and reinstalled in two locations, one near Cat House, one near Tow Hut
  • Each station a 10’ x 10’ concrete block building, complete with wiring, plumbing and pump