BOUNDARY COUNTY
BUCK MOUNTAIN
Kaniksu National Forest
60N-2E-12
60N-2E-12
August 1, 1929: "The Buck mountain lookout is partially completed." (Pend Oreille Review)
June 21, 1962: "Six old landmarks on the skyline of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges will soon disappear in the interest of public safety according to Sandpoint district ranger Ted Navratil. The abandoned U.S. forest service lookouts on Strawberry mountain, White mountain, Katka peak, Buck mountain, Bald Eagle mountain and McCormick ridge are in the process of being toppled and destroyed.
They were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps bu have not been used or maintained since 1950 when the forest service went to aerial patrol to supplement its fire detection from key ground lookout points.
Over the past 12 years winter winds, heavy ice and snow, coupled with rot, have taken their toll on these structures making them dangerous to climb. The towers are now being toppled and burned by district fire control officer Eugene H. Napier if Sandpoint and packer Arlen Rose of Priest River.
They report snow banks 20 feet deep near the towns but the horses and mules were able to keep on top without breaking through. The work is scheduled for completion next week, Navratil stated." (Sandpoint News Bulletin)