Where it all happened
A view of the Chilcotin in the fall
Photo: William Hughes-Games
This map is centred on the exact location of the Collier cabin indicated by the longitude and latitude kindly supplied below.
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Three Against the Wilderness 
Long Lats
122 32 17 W
52 12 26 N
Tegan Heard says: ‘If you stay at the Chilcotin Lodge in Riske Creek it’s not far from there to get to the cabins. Visit https://www.thehistoricchilcotinlodge.com ‘
http://g.co/maps/z3kc8
That’s what I think is the site too. Notice the one small building appears to be just a foundation. That could be the original cabin.
Dustin Porter, who lives in Williams Lake, says ‘if anyone is traveling from far away to see the Collier site but do not know how to find it I can take you there. Give me a call 250-267-9550’.
I just watched your video and shared the link. Now watching your video of Russian Island I just connected the dots the it was your videos. I am considering going in there next time I pass through the Chilcotin and we might just give you a call.
I’ve recently read the book and it was one I could not put down, I feel as if I know all three personally….I only wish I could know more and see the cabins inside and out…..and know more about Lillian etc…
Dear Ms Wallis, I hope you found out a bit more by exploring this site. James Stewart
Wonderful book and it helped me make friends with a good fellow from Elmira, New York who loved the book too. We became friends through the internet after searching for more information there. He flew there all the way from New York in his light plane to see the old homestead and met with Veasy and other people who know the area. A remarkable and inspiring book. Thanks for this great website!
Would that be Richard Williams? I am Veasy’s daughter and was just in contact with Richard recently.
I am reading the book now and enjoy it very much! I could see me reading it again as it is that good!
Ms. Valpy, I have read your grandfather’s book many times since the 1980s. I now own two copies. Hope to make the trip to Meldrum Creek before I croak.. I have had many hours of enjoyment reading and rereading the book. Howard Maxwell, Cascade, Montana.
I may have found the Collier Cabin. I searched on Google Earth guided by the map in the book. On Madden Lake there is a peninsula on the north end that has 3 buildings on it, It is at 52* 10′ 51.3″ No 122* 31′ o6.63″ W, elevation 3,176 Ft. I had to use the *asterick to designate Degree. comments invited.
I am a huge fan of the book and am riding in the area this weekend hoping to explore some of the historic sites…the cabin etc. Any advice from those who have been is appreciated. We will be camping at the Macintyre Lake rec site with horses.
Last year (september 2017) I wanted to visit the location of Eric Collier’s cabin. But due to the wildfires, the area was closed and no-one at the Tourist Bureau could tell us if the cabin had been burnt down or not. So I cancelled the trip to Williams Lake.
Would anyone know if the cabin is still up ?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Patrick, France
Dear Patrick, I know the book since my childhood and love it very much for the feeling of truth and the strength that develops if you believe in your aims. Would you please give me a hint if the wildfires have damaged the place? For long I have a look at the weather forecast of Chilcotin but I live too far away to travel there? Hope that the cabin stood still there!
Monica, Germany
We rode into Collier place today, Sept 2021. All buildings are still there.
Thank you very much for this good news. So many forest fires devastated the Chilcotin that I feared the buildings were gone.
The buildings are still fine as of 23 Sept 2023 and there is an active beaver lodge no more than 100ft away from the cabins!
Lovely!