Question from a Montana Trip

“Last summer in the Bob Marshall I noticed a tight strung cable stretching across a meadow for a couple of miles. The cable was attached to trees about 20ft high and ran diagonal across the White River Park like a tall clothesline. The White River Park is a meadow in the middle of nowhere measuring several square miles and dotted with ponderosa pines. I thought this could possibly be a bearbag cable or something to tie a horse to but the location is not in the best spot for camping or pasture (1/2mi from water and covered in gopher holes).”

“It sounds like some outfitter strung it up for some reason; possibly for bear bags or maybe hanging game. It shouldn't be in there because they're not supposed to erect any permanent structures or leave anything likr that. Some of these guys build elaborate corrals temporary "barns" for hay but have to tear it down at the end of the season.”

“When you say cable, do you mean like 1/2 inch thick with multiple strands? or was it just a single strand of wire? A single strand 20 feet off the ground is probably an old phone line. In the early 1900's, before radios, the Forest Service ran lines ALL over the place to connect lookouts, guard stations, etc. These lines are often strung through simple white or black ceramic insulators about 3 inches in diameter that are attached to the trees.”

“Yeah, that's right! They did have some phone lines in there long before it was a wildreness area. Maybe even telegraph.”

“Telephone or some kind of old electric wire was my first assumption when I first saw it from a distance. However, no insulators or ground wire was in sight and the wire looked relatively new. It reminded me of a winch cable (load bearing cable) but of a smaller gauge. Much smaller than 2ACSR used often for power lines. Definitely made of Aluminum. Until the 50s copper was the choice for power lines. Now that you mentioned outfitters, I wonder if they might have constructed it to tie horses too. Much like the dog leash that slides up and down an overhead line. Still curious though.”