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In 1931, the western site had a crows nest.
In 1934 the eastern site got a 40-foot tower with L-4 cab.
In 1934, the western site, now a patrol point got a 50-foot platform tower.
In 1957, they were destroyed.

Lookout History (or close to it):

Lookout Elevations: 4,236 and 4,239 feet (Summit is 4,280 feet)
Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles from Mineral Ridge Trailhead
Kootenai County, Idaho
Access: Paved

Elk Mountain Lookout Sites

A few different forest roads get in the area but gates prevent getting too close. Old abandoned roads lead up to both sites. Although a longer approach, I hiked these by parking at the Mineral Ridge Trailhead down at the lake. This allows you to hike the Mineral Ridge loop, the Wilson and Lost Man trails giving excellent views of the lake. The Lost Man trail ends at FR 1575. Walking this road for about a half mile, I reached a gated road that climbed upper Mineral Ridge. An old abandoned road, now trail, continued the final few miles giving access to the lookout sites. See map below.

Access and Route:

Located just above Lake Coeur d’Alene and interstate 90, this important summit had 2 lookout sites. Between the two sites is the mountain highpoint that seems to have avoided an observation tower. Its prominence is 760 feet. This trip makes a fine outing from the popular Mineral Ridge loop down at the lake but can also be accessed from Forest Service roads. The footings of both lookouts still remain, but maybe not for long. The western site has fresh markings of a timber sale thinning and new future road to the lookout site. Both sites are overgrown and have no views (for now).