LEMHI COUNTY
LAKE MOUNTAIN
Salmon National Forest
20N-20E-34
20N-20E-34
June 20, 1923: "Paul Penslin, the trapper, has gone to Lake mountain lookout for the fire season, to help the forest fire fighting force." (Salmon Herald)
1924: A Salmon Forest lookout report indicates no improvements at this site, but a telephone line was connected with Salmon. The lookout maintained a camp just under the top of the mountain.
1931: Flat top log cabin. (Kresek)
1934: An L-4 cab added. (Kresek)
July 1, 1936: "It seems we were mistaken in stating that Bill McNamer had gone to his lookout at Lake mountain last week. Bill has been down with a serious case of mumps, confined to his bed all of last week. It is doubtful if he will be able to return to work by the first of next week." (Recorder Herald)
October 5, 1938: "The CCC enrollees from the Forney camp under the direction of foreman Harold Bahm, have recently completed a new lookout building at Lake mountain. This is the latest type of lookout observatory being built by the forest service and should afford a place for local people to take any visiting guests who desire to see a modern lookout building and at the same time enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Salmon and Lemhi valleys that it is possible to obtain.
Foreman Charles McGee and a crew have reconstructed and surfaced the spur road south to the lookout so that it is very easy to drive from Salmon to the point. A good road leads up to the top where parking facilities for cars may be had.
The building is located on a eight foot log base which gives an added height to the point which facilitates a better view of the surrounding country. Surrounding the lookout building is a platform equipped with a railing which enables one to walk entirely around the outside of the structure while he is making his observations.
Any one interested in making the drive to Lake Mountain will be entirely welcome to go there and bring their guests and observe just how a lookout functions." (Recorder Herald)
Foreman Charles McGee and a crew have reconstructed and surfaced the spur road south to the lookout so that it is very easy to drive from Salmon to the point. A good road leads up to the top where parking facilities for cars may be had.
The building is located on a eight foot log base which gives an added height to the point which facilitates a better view of the surrounding country. Surrounding the lookout building is a platform equipped with a railing which enables one to walk entirely around the outside of the structure while he is making his observations.
Any one interested in making the drive to Lake Mountain will be entirely welcome to go there and bring their guests and observe just how a lookout functions." (Recorder Herald)
August 6, 1941: "Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Howard arrived Sunday evening from Buhl, Idaho to spend their vacation at Lake Mountain, where Mr. Howard has charge of the lookout station. They plan to sped a month there." (Recorder Herald)
September 3, 1941: "Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Howard, who spent the past month on Lake Mountain lookout returned to their home in Buhl last Saturday." (Recorder Herald)
July 12, 1951: "Edwin Peterson, Salmon, is lookout on Lake Mountain." (The Recorder-Herald)
September 25, 1955: "Only one lookout station on the Salmon National Forest still is manned, the last of the others lookouts closed Thursday, Al Hays, administrative assistant said.
The Lake Mountain lookout still is occupied, since it is used as a relay station for the radio at Copper Creek Ranger Station.
Heavy rains and snow in the high mountains closed the fire season this week. Thirteen lookout stations were manned during the height of the fire season." (The Post-Register)
September 4, 1958: "Mrs. Phillip Seavey and son John were Salmon visitors Friday from the Lake Mountain lookout." (The Recorder Herald)
September 6, 1973: "Vandals have extensively damaged the Lake Mountain lookout on the Salmon Ranger District. The incident occurred sometime between Aug. 17 and 19.
Don Hooper, ranger, said a lock was broken off the basement door and the outside cover to the catwalk door torn off. The lower windows were broken out and a small cupboard inside the door smashed.
Fourteen windows were broken out of the lookout portion. There were three bullet holes through the south windows and shutters. Miscellaneous equipment was strewn about the place.
Eric Kaiser, fire prevention patrolman, discovered the damage. The lookout had not been opened this season. It is located at the head of Lake Creek south of Williams Creek.
Hooper estimated damage at $800.
Sheep Horn lookout, also on the Salmon District, was vandalized earlier this summer and because of that the more valuable equipment had been removed from Lake Mountain." (The Recorder-Herald)
1974: The lookout was removed.