Yarding is the process of hauling logs to a central loading area or landing. Starting in the 1880s, steam engines began to replace animal teams for yarding logs. These steam donkeys or donkey engines were fueled with ever-plentiful wood. A long cable was attached to a log, and the donkey engine reeled it in. Many donkey engines were built on skids so they could be moved wherever they were needed.

This photo shows a group of men taking a break from yarding logs with a donkey engine. It was taken at a river landing at Cook's Camp, near Brennan, Washington in about 1910.

Notes: The photographer may be Axtell, a photographer based in Edmonds, Washington, who took other photographs at Cook's Camp during this time period. Axtell's given name is unknown.
Webster & Stevens number: 5768