IDAHO COUNTY
GARDINER PEAK
Nez Perce National Forest
30N-14E-6
30N-14E-6
June 12, 1925: "Three lookout buildings 12x12 feet in size surmounted by a cupola for observation purposes, will be at Gardiner's peak, Squaw peak and Corral hill. C.P. Hodson will have charge of the construction." (The Spokesman-Review)
1925: Cupola building on a 5-foot log crib. (Kresek)
1958: 10-foot treated timber tower with L-4 cab. (Kresek)
August 15, 1962: "A helicopter flew into the vast primitive area of North central Idaho early Tuesday to aid a Forest Service lookout who became ill during the night.
Lights from lanterns at Lookout Ranger Station in the Nez Perce National Forest glowed and radios crackled as the Forest Service guided the chopper to a landing in the isolated area.
The lookout, John Gunderson, 19, Albert Lea, Minn., was suffering from a possible kidney ailment and was flown to Grangeville General Hospital for treatment.
Forest Supervisor John Milodragovich was called by telephone and advised of the illness. By midnight, a chartered helicopter contracted to the forest service for fire control work was in the air with a Grangeville doctor aboard. Piloted by John Pfeiffer, the chopper landed at Moose Creek landing strip, then took off again for Gardiner Peak, near the Montana State line. It landed in a natural clearing on the peak and Dr. William Morrison administered aid to the youth.
The party then waited until daylight to fly Gunderson out to Grangeville." (The Post Register)
August 11, 2012: The lookout was activated when the lookout person from Shissler Peak was evacuated and moved to Gardiner Peak for the balance of the season.