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Lookout Elevation 5,635 feet
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles (from the North Trailhead)
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
County: Kootenai County

It is debatable which view is better, Chilco Mountain North or South, but I would vote for the North with a better 360 view and the close proximity view of Pend Oreille Lake. A nice hiking trail can be used from the north or south. Access via the Bunco Road on the north end would be easiest. Quite a few lookout remnants remain on the summit.

Lookout History:

In 1931, there was a lookout camp.
In 1936, a USGS party visited the summit and placed a benchmark.
In 1938 a USGS party visited the summit making no mention of a tower.
In 1939, a 40-foot pole tower with an L-4 cab was built.
In 1940, a USGS party said that a lookout tower had been built on the peak and the station benchmark was under the steps and could not be used. So, a new benchmark called Chilco 2 was placed.
In 1959, there was nothing but ruins.
In 1960, a USGS party referenced the legs of the lookout tower but also said the USFS lookout tower had been destroyed.

Idaho Lookouts

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Idaho Hiking

Access:

Come in from Bunco Road, it looks pretty good for most vehicles.