My first reaction was Mosquito Trap...but not sure.

it's a dew/rain catcher

killing the ongoing quote. I return you to your regularly formatted canoe board.

quote aholmgren: "Neat find and thanks for posting! I don't know what it is, but sure am curious.
Was it set on the ground? (with some guide rope?) as it appears or was it dug into the ground or affixed to the ground at all? If it were any legit study it would be labeled and likely not a DIY/homemade contraption. What is on the top? cork/foam filter/plug?"

I feel dumb for saying this, but I guess I never even checked to see whether the shaft runs below grade or not...
I did check for any markings, as I thought if this were a study of some sort, there would most-likely be a forest service emblem or something. But there were no markings. I found it odd that they would just leave a bag and bottle lying on the ground nearby if this were a sanctioned study...

The top had some sort of plastic funnel.

I did contact the forest service and they have indicated that they are looking into it and will respond back... I will update if they get back to me.

Bear bait contraption?
Or some other animal?

A prepper's ventilation pipe that provides air for an underground bunker, filled with food, guns and ammo. You'd be rich had you done a little digging. ;-)

It may be a little far fetched but this could be the secret location where the inner baffle of the Minnesota Vikings Horn is being repaired. It's a large nordic horn that blows when the Vikings make great plays or their opponents bungle and this device could be part of it! I know the horn got a workout in 2016 when the team had a 5 game winning streak before it broke. Also BassPro69 announced he was "Heading to the Gunflint Batman" a few weeks ago which could be a secret code and he is involved with the project.........or just a coincidence.

Whatever the object is I haven't been in this much suspense since we waited to find out who shot J.R.!

quote Oisinirish: "Bear bait contraption?
Or some other animal?"

Some kind of disguised bear bait station was also the first thing that came to my mind.

I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.

How's that sound?

Mike

I'm very curious. Looking forward to learning more about this one...

quote MikeinMpls: "I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.


How's that sound?


Mike"

If it's buried treasure, we split the proceeds?!

Maybe a corn feeder for deer? Illegal and lazy, if so..

quote MikeinMpls: "I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.


How's that sound?


Mike"

It occurs to me that this might be an entrance to the Black Lodge, so be careful. You don't happen to only have one arm, do you?

Daniel

quote dew042: "

quote MikeinMpls: "I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.



How's that sound?



Mike"

It occurs to me that this might be an entrance to the Black Lodge, so be careful. You don't happen to only have one arm, do you?


Daniel"

I have two arms.

Mike

quote Skarc75: "

quote MikeinMpls: "I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.



How's that sound?



Mike"

If it's buried treasure, we split the proceeds?!"

OK, though I don't know how much digging I'll be doing. I've been finding and snooping stuff in the BWCA for a long time. This will be another challenge.

Mike

UPDATE:

Well... Minor update:

The Superior Nat. Forest Headquarters Office in Duluth got back to me today. They are puzzled as to what this is.
They have forwarded the pictures and location to Superior National Forest Law Enforcement.

I expect they will be paddling to Good Lake this weekend - sirens blaring. :)

I will throw in my 2 cents. It is a bear baiting contraption. put a small stove or can of Sterno in the bottom, with small pot of honey or maple syrup. Close the door and let it simmer. The tubes would cause the scent to go up and disperse better than if it were just simmering on the ground!

We will be watching for the official answer.
Could it be a fish smoker?

The plot thickens..............


dr bob

quote Grandma L: "We will be watching for the official answer.
Could it be a fish smoker?"

I thought of that, but made out of PVC? And what's with the guy lines. And why paint it camo? Really strange.

It's a bank drive through deposit thing. I'm glad to know it's there. I' m expecting a check during my trip and didn't know what to do with it.

I thought maybe was somthing to store drugs in,
But if it's open on top that wouldn't make sense.
I'm sure there's stuff coming from Canada into Mn thru Bwca
And reverse, hard to get caught.
I once found stash of about 4 dozen brand new mason jars stashed
In woods near an entry point. But never heard back from law enforcement.

quote Motox3802: "I thought maybe was somthing to store drugs in,
But if it's open on top that wouldn't make sense.
I'm sure there's stuff coming from Canada into Mn thru Bwca
And reverse, hard to get caught.
I once found stash of about 4 dozen brand new mason jars stashed
In woods near an entry point. But never heard back from law enforcement.
"

Just empty mason jars, nothing in them?

Yes, jars empty still in packaging.
They were stashed with some other camping things.

My first question was, what were you doing a full 100 yards behind your campsite where there are no trails nearby? That's a long way in the bush.

How about a rainwater collection apparatus? That would account for the funnel on top, and the guy wires to keep it oriented vertically. Tube is to secure and stabilize the collection vessel and minimize evaporation. Contraption is large due to extended study period or anticipated heavy rain events.

And paint coat would be to minimize visual intrusion into natural landscape as a condition of study approval.

Looks like one of those new remote marijuana dispensing stations the state is testing.

quote Moss Tent: "My first question was, what were you doing a full 100 yards behind your campsite where there are no trails nearby? That's a long way in the bush.


How about a rainwater collection apparatus? That would account for the funnel on top, and the guy wires to keep it oriented vertically. Tube is to secure and stabilize the collection vessel and minimize evaporation. Contraption is large due to extended study period or anticipated heavy rain events."

I really like to explore when I get the chance. I don't typically wander too far, however, this area makes for fairly easy walking through the woods and I keep my gps handy.

I did a little exploring last week on our island site. I had noticed a wooden post with a reflector on it from our boat the day before. The reflector was stamped USFS 1968 I think. 2 ft from that was a 3.5 inch round metal pipe (like a water pipe) sticking out of the ground, about 4-5in above ground with a cap on it. The pipe was maybe 10ft from the shore line. The cap had the same date on it as did the post. I think it Read something along the lines of USFS CADASTRAL SURVEY 1968. Forgot my camera when I went exploring so no pics unfortunately. Definitely can find some interesting things if you look. I'm completely stumped at what you stumbled upon though.

My initial thought was insect trap. A quick google search found this:


Looks similar enough for me!

quote gymcoachdon: "My initial thought was insect trap. A quick google search found this:



Looks similar enough for me!"

Party pooper. Lol.

quote gymcoachdon: "My initial thought was insect trap. A quick google search found this:



Looks similar enough for me!"

Still skeptical. Those traps appear to require a fan and electricity, and ours doesn't have a gasket on the door - hence the bugs could just get out on the edges of the door.

My money is still on Aliens.

Daniel

Does it happen to have this logo on it:

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:


"

Now I'm just totally Lost...

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:


"

Now I'm just totally Lost...

quote gymcoachdon: "

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:



"

Now I'm just totally Lost..."

Exactly:)

quote offroadjeeper: "I did a little exploring last week on our island site. I had noticed a wooden post with a reflector on it from our boat the day before. The reflector was stamped USFS 1968 I think. 2 ft from that was a 3.5 inch round metal pipe (like a water pipe) sticking out of the ground, about 4-5in above ground with a cap on it. The pipe was maybe 10ft from the shore line. The cap had the same date on it as did the post. I think it Read something along the lines of USFS CADASTRAL SURVEY 1968. Forgot my camera when I went exploring so no pics unfortunately. Definitely can find some interesting things if you look. I'm completely stumped at what you stumbled upon though. "

The woods are a gold mine of junk and stuff, much of it historical (meaning older, but still junk). Most people miss it because you often have to wander off and bushwhack a bit.

Mike

quote Skarc75: "UPDATE:


Well... Minor update:


The Superior Nat. Forest Headquarters Office in Duluth got back to me today. They are puzzled as to what this is.
They have forwarded the pictures and location to Superior National Forest Law Enforcement.


I expect they will be paddling to Good Lake this weekend - sirens blaring. :)"

If the cops are going to investigate, I will bet they are going to either take in with them or dismantle it. I'll still look for it in a couple of weeks, but if you or anyone else hears more, please let me know, as I don't much want to look for something that isn't there anymore.

Mike

LOL, I immediately thought the same thing when I read the first post. Is there someone in there punching in numbers? 4...8...15....16....23....42....

JD

I'm sticking with "The Big Bong Theory".

Tomster

quote Skarc75: "UPDATE:

I expect they will be paddling to Good Lake this weekend - sirens blaring. :)"

Gee, I would sincerely hope not w/ sirens blaring, Skarc75. ;)

quote gymcoachdon: "

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:

"

Now I'm just totally Lost..."

By any chance are you confusing Dharma, the Hindu/Buddhist teachings related to cosmic order, with DARPA, the secretive US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency?

quote Jaywalker: "

quote gymcoachdon: "

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:


"

Now I'm just totally Lost..."

By any chance are you confusing Dharma, the Hindu/Buddhist teachings related to cosmic order, with DARPA, the secretive US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency?"

Pretty sure its DHARMA is referencing the TV show Lost, ripe with conspiracy and a secretive fringe science organization. They have a underground bunker, hence the reference to a ventilation stack.

Daniel

quote quark2222: "I'm sticking with "The Big Bong Theory".


Tomster"

LOL

quote SaganagaJoe: "

quote quark2222: "I'm sticking with "The Big Bong Theory".



Tomster"

LOL"

I agree. As a child of the 60's this is a simple, easy, and obvious answer.

quote dew042: "

quote Jaywalker: "

quote gymcoachdon: "

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:

"

Now I'm just totally Lost..."

By any chance are you confusing Dharma, the Hindu/Buddhist teachings related to cosmic order, with DARPA, the secretive US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency?"

Pretty sure its DHARMA is referencing the TV show Lost, ripe with conspiracy and a secretive fringe science organization. They have a underground bunker, hence the reference to a ventilation stack.

Daniel"

Ah, I stand corrected! I never watched the show so missed the reference.

Obviously, a bong for the Border Patrol. With ZERO action in roadless areas along the northern border, agents have found an alternative way to spend their time...

I would suspect that some Forest Service folks spend time there, too, considering they never seem to catch folks trashing campsites.

Just talked to a friend of mine that worker for the Forest Service for about 40 years and here is what he had to say about said contraption:

Looks like part of an old weather station. This would be part of the precipitation gauge. Most likely it's metal not PVC.
The rain gauge on top would automatically dump when it filled and the information would be recorded on a paper scroll kept on an instrument inside the door. It would also record temp. and barometric pressure. You would wind up the old ones and they could run a couple of weeks or more. The info. was graphed with pens. The new ones have solar panels and data recorders.
Research may have put it out there and whoever was doing the study didn't go and get it and nobody remembered it was out there. The expensive, delicate stuff seems to be gone.

And now we know the rest of the story!!!

That sounds like a good explanation to me.
Now that we know what it used to be, it can be converted into a bong and filled with Northern Lights.

quote The Great Outdoors: "Most likely it's metal not PVC."

The OP did say it was entirely made out of schedule 40 PVC and painted..... Just sayin'

And the FS employee said it is MOST LIKELY (but not definitely) made of metal.............just sayin' :)

quote The Great Outdoors: "Just talked to a friend of mine that worker for the Forest Service for about 40 years and here is what he had to say about said contraption:


Looks like part of an old weather station. This would be part of the precipitation gauge. Most likely it's metal not PVC.
The rain gauge on top would automatically dump when it filled and the information would be recorded on a paper scroll kept on an instrument inside the door. It would also record temp. and barometric pressure. You would wind up the old ones and they could run a couple of weeks or more. The info. was graphed with pens. The new ones have solar panels and data recorders.
Research may have put it out there and whoever was doing the study didn't go and get it and nobody remembered it was out there. The expensive, delicate stuff seems to be gone.


And now we know the rest of the story!!!"

This 28 year Forest firefighter is not buying the above explanation.
Not saying the above is incorrect, I'm just scratching my head with the explanation.

What was described above, sounds to me like a Thermo-hygrograph.
I used these many times as late as the 1996, and kept one on my desk as a museum piece when I worked for the USFS out of Isabella in the early 2,000's.

You would wind them up and they would graph out the temperature and humidity on a scroll for at least a week.
We used a Rain guage away from the Thermo-hygrograph to capture perticipation.
We would use this information to guage when conditions were compatible to conduct fire operations.

Temp and Humidity information need to be gathered 4.5 feet above ground, to be accurate. (Same as where the National Weather Service gathers their info) this contraption is not capable of that, which is why I am suspicious of the explanation.

I have only been in the buisness for 28 years not 40, and will give the benefit of the doubt to your Ranger friend.

Thermo-hygrograph

quote mirth: "

killing the ongoing quote. I return you to your regularly formatted canoe board."

How did you do that? I encounter this quite a bit here.

I'm going in at Wood Lake on Saturday and I plan on exploring this on Sunday or Monday. Does anyone know if this thing is still there? I am wondering if the USFS took it away.

Mike

This message has had HTML content edited out of it.

quote muddyfeet: "

quote mirth: "

killing the ongoing quote. I return you to your regularly formatted canoe board."

How did you do that? I encounter this quite a bit here.
"

I know you emailed me, but for the sake of everybody else.... when quoting another person's post it get's "encapsulated" within the "< quote >" tag which ends with "< /quote >". I broke the formatting here so the board software wouldn't read them and try to execute it as code. In real life there aren't any quotation marks or spaces between the to kill the ongoing nonsense.


That being said - Mike I'd be curious to see if its still there too. My guess is it probably is... USFS has bigger things to do than investigate random hardware in the woods. :)

MikeinMpls -

The forest service has not gotten back to me. My directions were fairly vague, so I highly doubt they've removed it...

The best direction I can give you is that I found this about 100 yards Northeast of campsite 2048. Break east off of the latrine path, and you're in range. It does not stick out, and you have to be almost on top of it to notice it.

They probably won't get to it. Years ago I informed them about a really bad infestation of invasive tansy on an island campsite in Disappointment Lake. THE USFS said they would take care of it. Two years later it was still there.

Tag for outcome.

quote LindenTree3: "

quote The Great Outdoors: "Just talked to a friend of mine that worker for the Forest Service for about 40 years and here is what he had to say about said contraption:



Looks like part of an old weather station. This would be part of the precipitation gauge. Most likely it's metal not PVC.
The rain gauge on top would automatically dump when it filled and the information would be recorded on a paper scroll kept on an instrument inside the door. It would also record temp. and barometric pressure. You would wind up the old ones and they could run a couple of weeks or more. The info. was graphed with pens. The new ones have solar panels and data recorders.
Research may have put it out there and whoever was doing the study didn't go and get it and nobody remembered it was out there. The expensive, delicate stuff seems to be gone.



And now we know the rest of the story!!!"

This 28 year Forest firefighter is not buying the above explanation.
Not saying the above is incorrect, I'm just scratching my head with the explanation.


What was described above, sounds to me like a Thermo-hygrograph.
I used these many times as late as the 1996, and kept one on my desk as a museum piece when I worked for the USFS out of Isabella in the early 2,000's.


You would wind them up and they would graph out the temperature and humidity on a scroll for at least a week.
We used a Rain guage away from the Thermo-hygrograph to capture perticipation.
We would use this information to guage when conditions were compatible to conduct fire operations.


Temp and Humidity information need to be gathered 4.5 feet above ground, to be accurate. (Same as where the National Weather Service gathers their info) this contraption is not capable of that, which is why I am suspicious of the explanation.


I have only been in the buisness for 28 years not 40, and will give the benefit of the doubt to your Ranger friend.


Thermo-hygrograph "

That's exactly what I said above, maybe not with as much clarity as needed. You echoed the conversation I had with him!!

It's painted to be camouflaged. Most likely built somewhere else and transported in vs. carrying in the tools and supplies to build it. With the guy wires it was obviously intended to be there for a while. The various sizes of PVC and the various fittings must play a significant role otherwise they would have just used a single piece of PVC pipe and capped it off. If it's 100 yards off the latrine trail, it's meant to be hidden.

quote Alan Gage: "Venting an old latrine site? Access door to monitor how quickly things are breaking down?


Alan"

This was my thought.

quote gymcoachdon: "

quote Atb: "Does it happen to have this logo on it:



"

Now I'm just totally Lost..."

So were the show runners the last three seasons.

The show was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You LOST me

Air shaft for underground science station on "LOST.

Or a part of SkyLab.
If you are younger than 50. You are probably thinking . What is SkyLab:)

quote dew042: "

quote MikeinMpls: "I'll be in the area in a month. I'll get to the bottom of the mystery. I will report my findings.



How's that sound?



Mike"

It occurs to me that this might be an entrance to the Black Lodge, so be careful. You don't happen to only have one arm, do you?


Daniel"

Awesome Twin Peaks reference! Are you enjoying the new season? It's not really the same old Twin Peaks but in my opinion David Lynch shits gold so I've been loving it

quote NoahDaBoa:
Awesome Twin Peaks reference! Are you enjoying the new season? It's not really the same old Twin Peaks but in my opinion David Lynch shits gold so I've been loving it"

Very much enjoying it, although frequently I wonder if David Lynch is messing with us on some scenes. The Audrey stuff, so far, for example.

Very pleased its standing on its own. Artistically and intellectually challenging, not just a nostalgia-fest. Some of the best characters are out, or passed, I miss Catherine & Pete Martell and the original Sheriff Truman.

Daniel

Could it be a Henway by chance?

What's a Henway?? ;)
.
.
.
.
.
I used to paddle crooked, but now I'm a straight man...

quote timf1981: "Air shaft for underground science station on "LOST.


Or a part of SkyLab.
If you are younger than 50. You are probably thinking . What is SkyLab:)"

I'm 47... I remember the summer Skylab fell to earth, it seems like that was all that was in the news the whole summer. I was visiting my grandmother in Colorado and she wouldn't let me play outside for a couple days. They lived on a mountain with a good deal of land and I loved just being outside at their house ... I was going stir crazy.