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Elevation: 6,031 feet
Hiking Distance: Drive-up (if gate is open), or 1.3 mile
Elevation Gain: Drive-up (if gate is open), or 500 feet
County: Shoshone
Access: Good for most all vehicles

This lookout has unobstructed views and was the first Idaho lookout listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. Little Guard is a popular lookout on the Rental Program. There is a good chance you will encounter people there. We got lucky with nobody and a window open that my son decided to crawl through. We did walk the road from the gate as to not disturb the renters, that turned out not to be there.

Access:

From I-90, take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard junction. From there, continue on Forest Road 208 for about 5 miles to Forest Road 602 (on the right just past Shoshone Base Camp). Drive about 9 miles to the lookout at the end of the road. Vehicles with high clearance and good tires are strongly recommended.

Idaho Lookouts

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Lookout History:

In 1919 a frame cabin was built.
In 1929 a cupola cabin was built and a crows nest was built on Downey Peak.
In 1957, the current 2-story concrete L-4 cabin was built.
In 1977, the cabin was put on emergency staffed status.