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Tales from the Tread: 36th annual Yule Log hunt begins Monday

Candice Bannister/For Steamboat Today
Laura Sankey, left, and Jennifer Meeks hold up the Yule Log after finding it near the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association's building off of U.S. Highway 40. Sankey said she was thrilled to find the log, but sad that the hunt for 2014 was over for the year.
John F. Russell

— As the traditions of the holiday season draw near, we hope everyone will participate in a local favorite. The 36th annual Yule Log Hunt, sponsored by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association, begins Monday, Dec. 7. Each weekday, a new clue will be printed in the Steamboat Today and air on local radio stations.

The 2015 hunt starts at the site of last year’s hiding place — the Museum’s Stagecoach display at the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. Ten clues have been carefully crafted by museum staff to take Yule Log hunters on a journey from last year’s hiding spot toward this year’s new hiding place.

Clues often include information that refers to community history, significant local people or past events. Unless the log is found sooner, the 10th and final clue will be released on Friday, Dec. 18.



The Yule Log hunt has been a traditional holiday event in this community for over 36 years. Families, school classes and more participate each year to solve the history-based riddles and find the log.

The three-foot-long, 25-pound log is hidden within the city limits of Steamboat Springs. It is distinctively marked with the words “Yule Log” (in RED letters) and at least a portion of it will be visible from its hiding place. The log will not be on private property, inside of buildings or in areas that charge fees to enter.



Looking for a museum tip to finding the log?

“I think it’s important to remember that each clue describes a specific place along the journey towards the log — not the actual hiding spot itself,” said museum curator Katie Adams. “So we encourage people to have fun, solve all of the riddles and hunt to the end,”

When the log is found, the lucky winner should immediately call the Tread of Pioneers Museum and ask for Candice or Katie, so that others on the hunt do not keep searching for a log that has been removed. The museum’s phone number is 970-879-2214.

The log must be physically presented to a Tread of Pioneers Museum staff person before the winner can claim the $150 Steamboat Chamber gift certificate, generously donated by the Steamboat Chamber Resort Association, and historical photograph from the museum’s collection.

The lucky individual who solves the riddles and finds the log will sign their name on the log and become a legendary member of the Yule Log Winner’s Circle. Join the fun, solve the riddles and find the log for extra spending cash for the holidays. Good luck!

Candice Bannister is director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat Springs.


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