This is a continuing history theme with two other caches in the area, Roose's Homestead and Nylund's Grave. Another abandoned homestead back in the dense rain forest but this one is easiest to reach if you do it right.
Several geocachers have told me how much fun it's been to come across these old ruins. Many have said, "I've been hiking the Cape Alava trail for years and never knew they were here". This is a relatively easy access and short bushwhack if you start at the right place. The trick is to let your GPS get you to the correct starting point on the trail, otherwise, you'll find yourself in a very serious bushwhack.
The building you're looking for is Lar's Ahlstrom's old barn. It's still standing and in good condition after some 55years. To my knowledge its the only standing building on his homestead. The area is very dense with vegetation so you can be right on top of something before you know its there. Extra challenge: If your particularly aggressive explorer, you may find something else at: N48° 09.451', W124° 42.629'. (send me photos)
Lar's never married but lived on this site for over 50 years. He was Swedish and lived to a ripe old age of 88. He had a reputation as being friendly to travelers who passed on the trail and would often offer them coffee or something to eat. He built a nice two story home only to lose it to fire one year. Afterward, he constructed a home he built between several trees that were supports. Visitors said he was very innovative with raw materials and his house was very unusual. Little remains of his living quarters but pieces of the woodstove and other metal items can be found throughout the area. He grazed sheep and limited cattle on his "Ahlstroms Prairie". At one time he was referred to as the "most westerly homestead" in the US. Lar's passed on early in 1960 after a stay in a Port Angeles rest home.
Cape Alava trail has been around for hundreds of years and originally used by the native people. Once you leave the trail, your GPS receiver will have trouble holding on to signals from the satellites. You may find that a certain amount of dead reckoning with compass will be needed.
Since this is a virtual cache, mandated by National Park rules, you need to email me evidence that you visited the site. Tell me the "initials" that are shown on a plaque just to the left of the doorframe on his barn? If correct, I will allow your log to remain, otherwise I will remove in 7 days. Alternatively, send me an original picture taken from your visit to the site.