How
about a little trek up to 6,755-foot Lookout Mountain to visit a
few mountain goats as depicted in the accompanying photo (circa 1937)?
Well, the mountain goats are probably not residing on the mountain
these days, but the view is as fantastic today as it was back
then! The LionsHead,
Lion Head Ridge, Abandon Mountain and numerous other striking Selkirk
Crest land features lay before those who make the hike to the lofty
Lookout Mountain
vista point. The rewards are well worth the effort and after all, there
still may be a mountain goat or two awaiting your arrival! Even if
the goats are gone, a bit of history still remains on the mountain
top today.
In 1929 a cupola cabin (photo below) was built to house lookout personnel.
Along with the lookout tower (rebuilt in 1977), the cabin still stands
as a sentinel overlooking the magnificent Selkirk Mountain Range. This
unique building is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register
and is, in itself, worthy of the hiking effort.
To
reach Lookout Mountain, drive north from Coolin on Cavanaugh Bay-East
Lakeshore Road / State Forest Road #1 towards the Lionhead Unit of
Priest Lake State Park (23 miles). Continue about 4 miles past the
Lionhead campground and bear right onto State Forest Road #44. Continue
on Road #44 for 2-1/2 miles to the junction with State Forest Road
#432. Turn right onto Road #432 and climb steadily for 3-1/4 miles
to the trailhead on the left. Follow the trail to Lookout Lake. Beyond
the lake, the trail ascends to a small saddle and trail junction.
Stay on the trail to the left. This trail segment will terminate
at the Lookout Mountain Road. Follow this road to the lookout site.
Plan on approximately 1-1/2 hours driving time and a 2 - 3 hour hike to reach
Lookout Mountain from Coolin.
NOTE: This trail system is not maintained and travel may include negotiating
downfalls, brush, and other obstacles. Land navigation equipment and skills may
be required to remain on the correct roads and trails as some are not well marked.
High clearance or 4X4 vehicles are recommended to access trailheads. Information
and maps are available at the Idaho Department of Lands office at the foot of
Cavanaugh Bay.
How
about a little trek up to 6,755-foot Lookout Mountain to visit a
few mountain goats as depicted in the accompanying photo (circa 1937)?
To
reach Lookout Mountain, drive north from Coolin on Cavanaugh Bay-East
Lakeshore Road / State Forest Road #1 towards the Lionhead Unit of
Priest Lake State Park (23 miles). Continue about 4 miles past the
Lionhead campground and bear right onto State Forest Road #44. Continue
on Road #44 for 2-1/2 miles to the junction with State Forest Road
#432. Turn right onto Road #432 and climb steadily for 3-1/4 miles
to the trailhead on the left. Follow the trail to Lookout Lake. Beyond
the lake, the trail ascends to a small saddle and trail junction.
Stay on the trail to the left. This trail segment will terminate
at the Lookout Mountain Road. Follow this road to the lookout site.