LITTLE GUARD PEAK 6031’ & LOOKOUT
LITTLE GUARD PEAK 6031’ & LOOKOUT TRAIL #81
EVENT TYPE: Day hiking, lookout rental, equestrian
DISTANCE: 1.4 mile from the gate, plus Trail #81, up the Shoshone Ridge
ELEVATION GAIN: 540 verts
DIFFICULTY: easy to lookout & moderate on the Shoshone Ridge trail
MAPS: IPNF, Mount Pend Orielle Topo
GPS: 47°48’ 34” N 116°01’25 W
RANGER DISTRICT: CDA RIVER R.D. 208.769.3000
SHOSHONE COUNTY SHERRIF: 911 or 208.556.1114
DISTANCE: 1.4 mile from the gate, plus Trail #81, up the Shoshone Ridge
ELEVATION GAIN: 540 verts
DIFFICULTY: easy to lookout & moderate on the Shoshone Ridge trail
MAPS: IPNF, Mount Pend Orielle Topo
GPS: 47°48’ 34” N 116°01’25 W
RANGER DISTRICT: CDA RIVER R.D. 208.769.3000
SHOSHONE COUNTY SHERRIF: 911 or 208.556.1114
DESCRIPTION:
WE HAVE ADDED THE AREAS SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH TRIP WRITE UP UNDER THE RANGER DISTRICT INFO. IF AN EMERGENCY OCURRS, EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CALL ONLY IF NEEDED.
From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.
I highly recommend renting this lookout. It’s views and hiking to the north is exceptional.
From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.
I highly recommend renting this lookout. It’s views and hiking to the north is exceptional.
OPTION #1:
Once at the lookout, the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81 heads north. At 2.4 miles is Bennett Peak 6209’, and in 3.4 miles is Sentinel Peak 6000’, and at 3.97 miles is Pond Peak 6136’, then the high point of the ridge is 4.3 miles from the lookout.
But, back at the lookout, off to the north east 33 miles is the tallest peak in our region, Snowshoe Peak 8738’.
Outstanding views of the C.M.W.
But, back at the lookout, off to the north east 33 miles is the tallest peak in our region, Snowshoe Peak 8738’.
Outstanding views of the C.M.W.
OPTION #2:
You can extend your hike further north to Spion Kop Rock, Shoshone Peak 5425’, and the CDA River Trail #20.
DIRECTIONS:
Drive I-90 east to the Kingston exit, and turn left over the freeway, staying on F.R. #9 past Pritchard on F. R. #208, CDA River Road for 6.1 miles to F.R. #602, just south of the Shoshone Base Camp. There is a restroom on 208 at the camp. After turning up F.R. #602, stay on 602 past F,R. #1504 to the gate below Little Guard.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Fern, Shadow, and Continental Falls, Upper CDA River National Recreation Trail #20, and Bloom Peak,
HAZARDS:
None to the lookout. From the lookout to the high point 4.3 miles along the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81 is on the ridge the whole way. Use caution.
R & P:
The Snake Pit, and the Radio Brewery in Kellogg. The Moon Time in CDA.
PHOTO GALLERY
FROM SILVER MT. KELLOGG PEAK
LITTLE GUARD LOOKOUT, NEAR LEFT
THE CABINET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
THE VIEW OF THE CABINET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS TO THE NE
ONE OF THE COOL THINGS ABOUT THIS RENTAL LOOKOUT,
IS IT HAS A FULL KITCHEN ON THE BOTTOM LEVEL
OF THE CINDER BLOCK FOUNDATION.
THE KITCHEN IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND LEVEL
ITS ALWAYS WISE TO KNOW WHERE THE OUTHOUSE IS
Little Guard Lookout
Little Guard Lookout, located about 9 miles north of Shoshone Camp, was one of the last remaining fire lookouts used in the Coeur d'Alene River area and has only just recently become inactive. The structure standing today on Little Guard Peak is the third in a series of lookout buildings that originated back to 1919. In October 1990, Little Guard Lookout was accepted for listing in the National Historic Lookout Register and the first for Idaho.
Natural Features: At an elevation of 6,031 feet, the lookout boasts spectacular views overlooking the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains, with views of nearby Downey Peak to the northwest. Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds.
Recreation: Hiking is a great way to explore and take in the scenery of the grand mountains. The lookout provides access to the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, a very nice day hike for visitors to the lookout. The trail provides many scenic viewpoints, but there is no source of water along the way, so hikers must bring plenty of their own.
Facilities: The fully furnished two-story fire lookout has dimensions of 14 x 14 feet, an external cat walk, and a gabled roof. It sleeps four guests, with one single bed and three fold-up cots available. Quarters are tight and at least two cots will need to be set up downstairs in the kitchen area. The kitchen is on the ground floor and is equipped with a small propane refrigerator, propane cook stove, table, chairs and basic cooking utensils. Propane for the stove and refrigerator is also provided. The outdoor pit toilet is within 200 feet of the lookout. It comes with biodegradable toilet paper. Other amenities include a propane heater upstairs and propane lanterns, but renters will need to bring their own propane for these. No water or electricity is available. Visitors should bring plenty of water. A mountain spring is within a half-mile by footpath, and can be boiled and treated for consumption. In addition to water, guests should bring food, propane for lanterns and heater, matches or lighters, warm clothing, garbage bags, insect repellent, towels and washcloths, toiletries, dish soap, and a first aid kit. Air mattresses or sleeping pads are also recommended.
At a GlanceCurrent Conditions:No drinking water; please bring plenty for drinking and cooking; Please bring garbage bags; this is a Pack in - Pack out facility; Paper materials may be burned when no fire restrictions are in effect; Children under age 7 are discouraged due to the height of the lookout; Cabinets in cabin are rodent resistant and should be used for food storage; Please clean up the lookout and pack out all waste; No smoking allowed in lookout; While pets are not allowed inside our recreation rentals, they are welcome to be on site and must be on a leash while in the area of the facility. Please clean up after pets and place pet waste outside cabin vicinity.
Operational Hours:Rental period begins at 1:00 p.m. on your check-in day and ends at 12:00 p.m. on the checkout day.
Reservations: Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Fees:$55 per night
Open Season:July - mid-September
Restrictions:Capacity of 4 people. No tent or RV camping allowed; all visitors must sleep in the cabin. Dogs are not allowed in any of our cabins, lookouts or historic recreation areas that are available for reservation.
Closest Towns:Kingston, Idaho
Water:None.
Restroom:Pit Toilet
Information Center:A combination is needed to access the lookout Propane is provided for the stove and refrigerator. Propane is not provided for the propane heater that is located in the kitchen area. If you wish to use this propane heater you’ll need to bring a 5 or 7.5 gallon propane tank (such as those typically used for BBQs). You will also need to bring small propane bottles to use in the propane lanterns for lighting, as these are not provided. A wood stove has been installed for heat on the top floor. Some firewood is available for your use. Not knowing how long this supply of wood will last, it is advisable to bring extra firewood (the stove burns 15” long firewood). General InformationDirections: GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
47.80278, -116.00944
47°48'10"N, 116°0'34"W
From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.
Little Guard Lookout, located about 9 miles north of Shoshone Camp, was one of the last remaining fire lookouts used in the Coeur d'Alene River area and has only just recently become inactive. The structure standing today on Little Guard Peak is the third in a series of lookout buildings that originated back to 1919. In October 1990, Little Guard Lookout was accepted for listing in the National Historic Lookout Register and the first for Idaho.
Facilities
The fully furnished two-story fire lookout has dimensions of 14 x 14 feet, an external cat walk, and a gabled roof. It sleeps four guests, with one single bed and three fold-up cots available. Quarters are tight and at least two cots will need to be set up downstairs in the kitchen area. The kitchen is on the ground floor and is equipped with a small propane refrigerator, propane cook stove, table, chairs and basic cooking utensils. Propane for the stove and refrigerator is also provided. The outdoor pit toilet is within 200 feet of the lookout. It comes with biodegradable toilet paper. Other amenities include a propane heater upstairs and propane lanterns, but renters will need to bring their own propane for these. No water or electricity is available. Visitors should bring plenty of water. A mountain spring is within a half-mile by footpath, and can be boiled and treated for consumption. In addition to water, guests should bring food, propane for lanterns and heater, matches or lighters, warm clothing, garbage bags, insect repellent, towels and washcloths, toiletries, dish soap and a first aid kit. Air mattresses or sleeping pads are also recommended.
Natural Features
At an elevation of 6,031 feet, the lookout boasts spectacular views overlooking the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains, with views of nearby Downey Peak to the northwest. Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds.
Recreation
Hiking is a great way to explore and take in the scenery of the grand mountains. The lookout provides access to the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, a very nice day hike for visitors to the lookout. The trail provides many scenic viewpoints, but there is no source of water along the way, so hikers must bring plenty of their own.
Little Guard Lookout, located about 9 miles north of Shoshone Camp, was one of the last remaining fire lookouts used in the Coeur d'Alene River area and has only just recently become inactive. The structure standing today on Little Guard Peak is the third in a series of lookout buildings that originated back to 1919. In October 1990, Little Guard Lookout was accepted for listing in the National Historic Lookout Register and the first for Idaho.
Natural Features: At an elevation of 6,031 feet, the lookout boasts spectacular views overlooking the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains, with views of nearby Downey Peak to the northwest. Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds.
Recreation: Hiking is a great way to explore and take in the scenery of the grand mountains. The lookout provides access to the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, a very nice day hike for visitors to the lookout. The trail provides many scenic viewpoints, but there is no source of water along the way, so hikers must bring plenty of their own.
Facilities: The fully furnished two-story fire lookout has dimensions of 14 x 14 feet, an external cat walk, and a gabled roof. It sleeps four guests, with one single bed and three fold-up cots available. Quarters are tight and at least two cots will need to be set up downstairs in the kitchen area. The kitchen is on the ground floor and is equipped with a small propane refrigerator, propane cook stove, table, chairs and basic cooking utensils. Propane for the stove and refrigerator is also provided. The outdoor pit toilet is within 200 feet of the lookout. It comes with biodegradable toilet paper. Other amenities include a propane heater upstairs and propane lanterns, but renters will need to bring their own propane for these. No water or electricity is available. Visitors should bring plenty of water. A mountain spring is within a half-mile by footpath, and can be boiled and treated for consumption. In addition to water, guests should bring food, propane for lanterns and heater, matches or lighters, warm clothing, garbage bags, insect repellent, towels and washcloths, toiletries, dish soap, and a first aid kit. Air mattresses or sleeping pads are also recommended.
At a GlanceCurrent Conditions:No drinking water; please bring plenty for drinking and cooking; Please bring garbage bags; this is a Pack in - Pack out facility; Paper materials may be burned when no fire restrictions are in effect; Children under age 7 are discouraged due to the height of the lookout; Cabinets in cabin are rodent resistant and should be used for food storage; Please clean up the lookout and pack out all waste; No smoking allowed in lookout; While pets are not allowed inside our recreation rentals, they are welcome to be on site and must be on a leash while in the area of the facility. Please clean up after pets and place pet waste outside cabin vicinity.
Operational Hours:Rental period begins at 1:00 p.m. on your check-in day and ends at 12:00 p.m. on the checkout day.
Reservations: Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Fees:$55 per night
Open Season:July - mid-September
Restrictions:Capacity of 4 people. No tent or RV camping allowed; all visitors must sleep in the cabin. Dogs are not allowed in any of our cabins, lookouts or historic recreation areas that are available for reservation.
Closest Towns:Kingston, Idaho
Water:None.
Restroom:Pit Toilet
Information Center:A combination is needed to access the lookout Propane is provided for the stove and refrigerator. Propane is not provided for the propane heater that is located in the kitchen area. If you wish to use this propane heater you’ll need to bring a 5 or 7.5 gallon propane tank (such as those typically used for BBQs). You will also need to bring small propane bottles to use in the propane lanterns for lighting, as these are not provided. A wood stove has been installed for heat on the top floor. Some firewood is available for your use. Not knowing how long this supply of wood will last, it is advisable to bring extra firewood (the stove burns 15” long firewood). General InformationDirections: GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
47.80278, -116.00944
47°48'10"N, 116°0'34"W
From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.
Little Guard Lookout, located about 9 miles north of Shoshone Camp, was one of the last remaining fire lookouts used in the Coeur d'Alene River area and has only just recently become inactive. The structure standing today on Little Guard Peak is the third in a series of lookout buildings that originated back to 1919. In October 1990, Little Guard Lookout was accepted for listing in the National Historic Lookout Register and the first for Idaho.
Facilities
The fully furnished two-story fire lookout has dimensions of 14 x 14 feet, an external cat walk, and a gabled roof. It sleeps four guests, with one single bed and three fold-up cots available. Quarters are tight and at least two cots will need to be set up downstairs in the kitchen area. The kitchen is on the ground floor and is equipped with a small propane refrigerator, propane cook stove, table, chairs and basic cooking utensils. Propane for the stove and refrigerator is also provided. The outdoor pit toilet is within 200 feet of the lookout. It comes with biodegradable toilet paper. Other amenities include a propane heater upstairs and propane lanterns, but renters will need to bring their own propane for these. No water or electricity is available. Visitors should bring plenty of water. A mountain spring is within a half-mile by footpath, and can be boiled and treated for consumption. In addition to water, guests should bring food, propane for lanterns and heater, matches or lighters, warm clothing, garbage bags, insect repellent, towels and washcloths, toiletries, dish soap and a first aid kit. Air mattresses or sleeping pads are also recommended.
Natural Features
At an elevation of 6,031 feet, the lookout boasts spectacular views overlooking the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and the Bitterroot Mountains, with views of nearby Downey Peak to the northwest. Wildlife in the area includes mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds.
Recreation
Hiking is a great way to explore and take in the scenery of the grand mountains. The lookout provides access to the Shoshone Ridge Trail #81, a very nice day hike for visitors to the lookout. The trail provides many scenic viewpoints, but there is no source of water along the way, so hikers must bring plenty of their own.
