Tharp's Log

17 Wonders of America's National Parks

"This curious cabin is nestled along the Crescent Meadow Trail in Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest. Hale Dixon Tharp, who is considered to be the first non-Native American to enter the Giant Forest, built the structure. Yokut guides first led Tharp to the Giant Forest in 1858. He established a summer cattle ranch next to a nearby meadow. There, he also transformed a fallen Sequoia tree into a cabin. Fell used fire to hollow out 55 feet of the 70-f00t-long trunk. He built the front of the cabin into the log, and used the felled tree as part of the structure. The rustic abode even contains a fireplace, a door, and windows.  Tharp’s Log had been used as a shelter by many early pioneers, including John Muir, America’s most well-known conservationist, who called it a “noble den.” In 1875, Muir stayed at the cabin as he was exploring the forests in his early years. Today, hikers can take a short hike in Crescent Meadow to see this cabin, which still contains an old bed, table, and bench." - ATLAS_OBSCURA