Team of oxen hauling logs — circa 1922 — #G1476_1
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Photograph Copyright Anderson & Middleton Company
United States — Washington (State)
Thanks to Sam Talley who notes: "A skid road was a narrow path through the woods on which freshly cut logs were skidded to railcars or streams (landings). The skid road was lined with small, short logs laid cross-wise about 5' to 10' apart on which the logs slid. Also some were placed parallel in the path. The log ends were 'sniped', or rounded off slightly so the edges wouldn't get hung up. These skid roads were used when animals and donkey engines pulled the logs through the woods in the days before the logs were raised with skidders."
Mr. Talley adds: "When animals were used to move logs on the skid roads, oxen were far superior to horses and mules. They were slow, deliberate and methodical. They could be led from the front or side instead of driven from behind where the view was limited. They did not sweat and had more stamina, and responded well to verbal commands and signals."
