Mount Coeur d’ Alene Fire Lookout

Summit and lookout elevation: 4,439 feet
Hiking Distance: Drive up or 1/3 mile hike on road
Elevation Gain: Drive-up or 200-foot gain
County: Kootenai
Access: Good roads to last mile.

This location is the highest point in the group of mountains SE of Coeur d Alene. Although trees cover the summit, a few trails are on the mountain making it accessible anytime of year. In summer, you can drive to the top, although the last third of a mile would require 4WD and high clearance. The mountain has 1,371 feet of prominence because the group of mountains are surrounded by low valleys.

In 1913, there was a crows nest.

In 1915, a log cabin was built with a 20-foot platform tower.

In 1924, a log cabin with a roof platform was built.

In 1926, a 30-foot log tower with 6x6 foot cab was built.

In 1944 and 1945, the lookouts were sisters Mamie and Thelma.

In 1948, a 41-foot timber tower with an L-4 cab was built.

In 1949, the lookouts were Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Stoesz. They had gone to lower ground when a lightning storm approached. Lightning struck the tower, scorched the inside of the building, burned out the radio, blew the telephone box off the wall, melted the radio antennae and took out a half mile of telephone line near the station. No fire resulted.

In 1963, a 67-foot timber tower with R-6 cab was built.

By 1979, they were all gone.

A good, paved road gets you high on the mountain. Take Highway 97 south of I-90 at the NE end of Lake Coeur d Alene. When the highway wraps into Beauty Bay, a forest road 438 turns left to a camping area. Follow FR 438 many miles to the top of the ridge, then turn right on FR 439. In 1.6 miles or so is an unsigned spur to the left. This is the final spur up to the summit. Most people park here and walk the rest.