Okay, so it is kind out of whack to write about opening a railroad logging camp, while the calendar indicates we are heading into winter. However, the material is fresh at hand, and spring is not.
For those not aware, Camp 10, was a railroad logging camp of the Fruit Growers Supply Company, located west of Eagle Lake in Pine Creek Valley. One of the items that make Camp 10 unique was its longevity—most logging camps existed less than five years, and the logging company moved to a new a location. Camp 10 was established in 1928 and did not close down until 1952.
On May 6, 1938, Lassen National Forest Ranger P.D. Hook boarded Fruit Growers logging train to plow the road open to Camp 10. Not only was there plenty of snow to be encountered in early May, but as expected downed trees across the railroad tracks. Hook noted in the Feather Lake area, north and east of McCoy Flat Reservoir there was still four feet on the ground. Also impressive was that Pine Creek Valley was still covered with a foot of snow.
