The Lookout Inventory suggests this was an AWS smokehouse style structure with a platform tower in 1942. I do not show Coyote Mountain as an AWS site so I am not sure what the history here means but we do have a picture of the smokehouse style structure.
In 1954, the lookouts were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed.
In 1955, a 40-foot wooden DNR live in tower was built. This was described in the Biennial Report of the Forestry Division as a standard lookout station consisting of a forty foot tower mounted by a 14x14 foot cabin on top was constructed on Coyote Mountain in Lewis County. The cabin is of the new design developed by the Division of Forestry, are built of plywood and glass with an aluminum roof which overhangs the building to act as a sun shade.
In 1956, the lookouts were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed.
In 1967, the site was abandoned. It is unclear when each structure was removed.
During an interview with Don Lee Frazier, who was the Supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources and started his career in 1936 with the Washington Forest Fire Association, he gave the following story about Coyote Mountain Lookout. He was listening to the radio when a Weyerhaeuser field worker radioed to the Coyote Mountain Lookout and asked him if he could see a fire off to the SW, the lookout responded surprisingly, Ya, and it is a big one too! Apparently, the lookout had been reading a book too long.
Elevation: 2,870 feet
Legal Access: Longview-St Helens permit needed, then just a drive-up
Other Access: DNR roads from the north get your very close
Coyote Mountain
WillhiteWeb.com
Coyote Mountain is a rounded mountain with few features but it is always named on a map.
Lookout History
I poked around a bit for the footings in 2017 but did not see them. When I was there, I did not know the lookout was so recent so I did not search very long. In 2012, the 4 footing blocks with rebar were found close together by Leslie Romer. Her notes indicate to follow 564 and 1st road to right, then a trail up to the ridge.
Footings
Looking east with Winters Mountain in center and Mt. Rainier center left
Looking southeast with Mount St. Helens on right
Looking southwest
Looking northwest. I believe the lookout was down on the left in the smaller trees. I walked into the mature stand and those are all dropping down the hill.
Images below taken with a drone
Mount St. Helens on the drive up Coyote Mountain
Zoom of Mt. Rainier from ground level at the summit
1955
1955
August 1966 from the Ten-Eight
1980 Mount St. Helens Map