I'm curious to know if anyone's found any effective techniques for finding rural sites. In urban areas it's usually sufficient to walk or drive, but in the country I've found it difficult to find sites other than the most obvious.

The reasons for this are numerous. First, many of the sites have crumbled below the treeline. I've actually stood right next to a massive site and never knew it was there because it was hidden behind thick bush. Even larger building are often obscured from view behind trees; planted there for that very reason! Terrain can often block your view just as can man-made structures (not abandoned). Maps don't really offer much help since they don't show structural locations, and satellite is often not very helpful because the level of detail you get in rural areas is just not enough.

I've tried following tree lines but other than separating fields I haven't found them to be too useful. Historic maps are somewhat useful when cross-referenced with existing data but even that's a little off. I know of numerous houses that have since been demolished or moved. History books offer a bit more insight but they're not exactly accurate enough to guide you to where you need to go.

Having said all that, maybe my technique is wrong. Anyone care to comment?

I have lived in the general area of my current location for most of my life so I was always wandering around the forests and fields around here. Right now I tend to drive around the back roads (which every road is out here) and just look for signs of possible sites...old laneways that have grown over, overgrown paths, chain stretched across two poles on the side of a road with no visible laneway, clearing in a forested area, and so forth.

As for the satellite maps, they are terrible for rural as you have said but you can somewhat make out areas of interest such as small forested areas, rivers, old roads, old train tracks.

I have found a good portion of the locations around here by driving down old roads that are seldom used. Altho I have only really checked out the area within about 10 KM of my house. With the gas prices being over 90cents (96.4 here today) it gets kind of expensive for driving around looking for places to explore though.

Posted by Watson516 KM of my house. With the gas prices being over 90cents (96.4 here today) it gets kind of expensive for driving around looking for places to explore though.

I hear that. It's all over the GTA and outwards. I'm gonna get myself a good mountain bike for the summer and do day trips instead. It's easier to conceal too.

I like your suggestions. I've also looked for aging mailboxes, although they don't always point to the right house either. Mine is almost in the culvert

Have you found many places in the Hamilton area? That's like a foreign land to me

I am actually south of Hamilton. Its about a 20 minutes drive to Hamilton and 1h or so to Toronto. I live out in a small hick town right between lake erie and lake ontario. So if you consider this hamilton way out here then I/We have found a few places, mainly houses.

Posted by Watson516 I am actually south of Hamilton. Its about a 20 minutes drive to Hamilton and 1h or so to Toronto. I live out in a small hick town right between lake erie and lake ontario. So if you consider this hamilton way out here then I/We have found a few places, mainly houses.

Hick towns are okay if you don't mind pickups and wifebeaters, which I do. Still, your area has lots of interesting old stuff...I mean real historical relics. I drove there (well, near there) once to see Crooks' Hollow. Bit too touristy but apparently there's a whole heck of a lot more in the area. I imagine there must be some really old sites lying about the place that aren't so well travelled.

And African Lion Safari nearby...dang! Can't go wrong! hehe

Posted by jB Hick towns are okay if you don't mind pickups and wifebeaters, which I do. Still, your area has lots of interesting old stuff...I mean real historical relics. I drove there (well, near there) once to see Crooks' Hollow. Bit too touristy but apparently there's a whole heck of a lot more in the area. I imagine there must be some really old sites lying about the place that aren't so well travelled. And African Lion Safari nearby...dang! Can't go wrong! hehe

Is this Crooks' Hollow down past Port Dover near Lake Erie? I remember my uncle's talking about some old abandoned street that everyone hated to go near cause it was creepy. Not sure where it was but I believe it might have been called something along those lines.

As for these old sites around here....I would really like to see them. lol. Most things that are fairly old have been turned into museums of some sort and charge you money to get in and Im not a big fan of paying money for things. That is if they dont tear it down to build homes.

Crooks' Hollow is the name of a few old grist mills belonging to this dude name Crooks (James I believe). Typical 1800s fat cat with bling and ... er ... flour. Good write-up here: http://www.ghostto.../towns/crook.shtml

It was actually the first exploration I did with my new camera. It turned out to be pretty touristy, but still had a few nooks and crannies of interest. Definitely not spooky though

Posted by jB I'm curious to know if anyone's found any effective techniques for finding rural sites. In urban areas it's usually sufficient to walk or drive, but in the country I've found it difficult to find sites other than the most obvious.

I live in the city but I know someone who lives out in a rural area. He hauls scrap cars and on his travels, finds some cool places for me to check out Not very helpful but that's pretty much how I find them.

Posted by WICKED1 I live in the city but I know someone who lives out in a rural area. He hauls scrap cars and on his travels, finds some cool places for me to check out Not very helpful but that's pretty much how I find them.

Hmmm...useful. Have you been to see any?

Yep, here's one:
http://www.uer.ca/locations/show.asp?locid=23579

Completely gutted but cool nonetheless. A bunch of us from the site went to another location up near my buddies house as well and the pics are in the db but it isn't publicly viewable. Hope you get your L3 soon so you can see it, I think you'll like it.

Posted by WICKED1 ..it isn't publicly viewable. Hope you get your L3 soon so you can see it, I think you'll like it.

Me too. Whose arse-pimples do you have to kiss to get L3 anyways? I've been trying the regular contacts without much luck.

Posted by jB Me too. Whose arse-pimples do you have to kiss to get L3 anyways? I've been trying the regular contacts without much luck.

You've only been here for like 2 weeks, gotta give it time.

Posted by Watson516 You've only been here for like 2 weeks, gotta give it time.

But I want it NOW! (((stomp)))

Hehe...yeah, I'm in no hurry. Just people keep referring me to parts of the site I don't have access to and then ask me why I don't have access. It's getting old, man, real old.

Ever try just talking a walk in the woods?
Works for me.

Posted by metalwitch40 Ever try just talking a walk in the woods? Works for me.

Yeah...usually just end up stepping in bear crap.

Seriously though, I have found a few interesting areas in the woods but nothing major. Certainly no houses or mills or anything of that sort. Generally, the wild is just that, the wild. I've found houses are close to roads or at least creeks. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough Well, I'm wood-walking tomorrow so I'll try going off the beaten path (and curse your name if I find nothing!!!)

I'm checking out an abandoned marina in Pickering Saturday morning at 7:30 if anyone wants to join me...

Posted by jB Yeah...usually just end up stepping in bear crap. Seriously though, I have found a few interesting areas in the woods but nothing major. Certainly no houses or mills or anything of that sort. Generally, the wild is just that, the wild. I've found houses are close to roads or at least creeks. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough Well, I'm wood-walking tomorrow so I'll try going off the beaten path (and curse your name if I find nothing!!!)

I'm sure!
Canada is a lot different than Massachusetts. More open country.
There must be an abandoned house in the wild woods where you are.
Curse away, go ahead and make my day.

Damn! Actually, that wasn't deserved...I did find a few eyebrow raising things in the woods, but no houses. Probably Indian burial grounds. Good enough to desecrate!

i suggest stopping at gas stations or in little local town bars. they definately know whats up and really dont ask too many questions. or just drive around.

Posted by tippa i suggest stopping at gas stations or in little local town bars. they definately know whats up and really dont ask too many questions. or just drive around.

Do you often find your locations from gas station attendants? I can't say that I have ever gone into a store to ask for good abandoned locations nearby. And if I did, Im sure they ask why I wanted to know. Driving around is good.