Lookout Elevation: 2,858 feet
Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
County: Bonner

WillhiteWeb.com

Located on private land, this abandoned 2-story frame 14x14 foot cabin was built in the 1930s.

Poirier Tree Farm Lookout

Access:

At the time of making this page in 2022, walk-in hiking was allowed with many signs saying no motorized vehicles or even e-bikes. See correct gate location on map.

Land Sale:

At the time of making this page, the 3,000-acre tree farm and ranch was up for sale for about 22 million dollars. The ranch has been actively managed by the Poirier Family for multiple generations. The hillside with the lookout has a Timber Management Plan that includes 2,100 acres of hillside timber consisting of Cedar, Tamarack, and Douglass Fir. The listing makes no mention of the lookout (as they so often are….abandoned and undesired), just making reference to the farm/ranch, timberland property, lakefront property, waterfront property, house. The listing pointed to other hillsides available for homesite development, so hopefully, access to the old lookout site will remain.

Area History:

In 1883 Louis Poirier, a French Canadian, homesteaded a piece of land in the valley. Shortly after his arrival other homesteaders and squatters arrived, and the valley became known as White, Idaho. A United States Post Office was established in 1900. In 1908 a railroad was built through this valley, and the Post Office name of White, Idaho, was changed to Blanchard, Idaho. The name Blanchard was chosen in honor of a pioneer named Blanchard who had homesteaded on a creek (which became known as Blanchard Creek). The creek ran through the town and along the railroad. The chief industry was logging and sawmill operations. Today, much of the lowlands has been cleared and converted into farming. The lookout served its purpose in the early days during the logging times.