LOOKOUT LAKE & MOUNTAIN 6727’ TRAIL #36
LOOKOUT LAKE, MOUNTAIN 6727’ & TWO LOOKOUT TOWERS
EVENT TYPE: Day hiking, backpacking, scrambling & Scenery
DISTANCE: 5 mile RT
ELEVATION GAIN: 1523’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS:IPNF, Kootenai National Forest, Caribou Creek
GPS: 48°47’17”N 116° 47’ 41”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Idaho Dept. of Lands, Priest River. 208.448.2302
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.267.3151
DISTANCE: 5 mile RT
ELEVATION GAIN: 1523’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS:IPNF, Kootenai National Forest, Caribou Creek
GPS: 48°47’17”N 116° 47’ 41”W
RANGER DISTRICT: Idaho Dept. of Lands, Priest River. 208.448.2302
BOUNDARY COUNTY SHERIFF: 911 or 208.267.3151
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.
Lookout Mountain stands tall on the west side of the Selkirk Range, above Upper Priest Lake. One cool thing about this hike, is how easy it is to hike.
From the trailhead, hike Trail #36 for about a mile to Lookout Lake. After enjoying the lake, continue on Trail #36, and watch for a “trail,” Trail #37 off to the left (East) that leads you to the summit and it’s two lookout towers. Wonder the summit plateau, and enjoy the magnificent views.
Please do not disturb the fire lookout person, unless they invite you up.
The old lookout has been restored, but survived a fire in 2001.
The old lookout was a lookout cabin built in 1909, and restoration started in 1983. In 1909 the mountain was called Lookout Point.
The first lookout tower was built in 1929, by the Idaho Dept. of Lands.
The current, and in use tower was built in 1977.
Follow the same route back down.
Lookout Mountain stands tall on the west side of the Selkirk Range, above Upper Priest Lake. One cool thing about this hike, is how easy it is to hike.
From the trailhead, hike Trail #36 for about a mile to Lookout Lake. After enjoying the lake, continue on Trail #36, and watch for a “trail,” Trail #37 off to the left (East) that leads you to the summit and it’s two lookout towers. Wonder the summit plateau, and enjoy the magnificent views.
Please do not disturb the fire lookout person, unless they invite you up.
The old lookout has been restored, but survived a fire in 2001.
The old lookout was a lookout cabin built in 1909, and restoration started in 1983. In 1909 the mountain was called Lookout Point.
The first lookout tower was built in 1929, by the Idaho Dept. of Lands.
The current, and in use tower was built in 1977.
Follow the same route back down.
OPTION #1:
After enjoying the lake, walk Trail #36 a very short distance and look for the rocky ridge coming down from the lookout towers. It’s the cliff edge that you see from the lake. This route is not on any map, but offers the best views and rock scrambling to the summit.
Very scenic ascent.
Very scenic ascent.
OPTION #2:
This option allows scramblers to get away from trails and see the land to the north.
When you are on the summit, notice the rocky ridge heading north, then elbows left (west). My suggestion, is to hike back up these two ridges to the lookout before heading back to the lake. Years ago, we tried to do a loop, that cost us time and a whole lot of energy.. The western point of this ridge is a dead end, with difficult chicwackin’
By walking back up the ridge line,you get the best views of the peak with its two lookout towers. And a whole lot of fun scrambling.
When you are on the summit, notice the rocky ridge heading north, then elbows left (west). My suggestion, is to hike back up these two ridges to the lookout before heading back to the lake. Years ago, we tried to do a loop, that cost us time and a whole lot of energy.. The western point of this ridge is a dead end, with difficult chicwackin’
By walking back up the ridge line,you get the best views of the peak with its two lookout towers. And a whole lot of fun scrambling.
DIRECTIONS:
You might consider getting a current map from the Idaho Dept. of Lands in Priest River.
From Priest River, drive 22 miles north on Hwy 57, and turn right on Dickensheet Road towards Coolin. Drive a little over 5 miles to Coolin, and turn right onto the East Shore Road. At Cavanaugh Bay, continue 7.3 miles onto Hunt Creek Road #24. On road #24, after driving about 4 miles, bear right and continue on. 24. In a little over a mile, after crossing Hunt Creek, continue about a mile bearing left onto 24/241 for 3.5 miles to the trailhead.
I can’t stress enough, stop by the IDL office and get a current map.
From Priest River, drive 22 miles north on Hwy 57, and turn right on Dickensheet Road towards Coolin. Drive a little over 5 miles to Coolin, and turn right onto the East Shore Road. At Cavanaugh Bay, continue 7.3 miles onto Hunt Creek Road #24. On road #24, after driving about 4 miles, bear right and continue on. 24. In a little over a mile, after crossing Hunt Creek, continue about a mile bearing left onto 24/241 for 3.5 miles to the trailhead.
I can’t stress enough, stop by the IDL office and get a current map.
HAZARDS:
Trail #36 is pretty easy to follow, but Trail #37 to the lookout is sometimes hard to find.
The ridge line route is more strenuous and beautiful, but holds its own hazards, due to no real trail.
The ridge line route is more strenuous and beautiful, but holds its own hazards, due to no real trail.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Upper Priest Lake, The Mollies, Lion Head Peak, and Lion Creek Rock slides.
R & P:
Burger Express in Priest River.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Click for Current NOAA Weather Conditions
PHOTO GALLERY
LOOKOUT LAKE, MOUNTAIN & TOWERS
THE RESTORED 1927 LOOKOUT TOWER, & NEW (1977) ACTIVE TOWER.
THE NORTH RIDGE LINE TO THE TOWERS, IS MY FAVORITE ASCENT ROUTE
ALONG THE NORTH RIDGE LINE, I SPOTTED A ROCK DOG
TALL PROMINENCE ALONG THE NORTH RIDGE
THE NORTH RIDGE
