Trout Peak Lookout

Hike-In	Abandoned
Elevation: 5226′	Kaniksu National Forest

History

1931 – Firefinder

1942? – Evidence shows a tower or cabin was built here, the 1942 map shows a “Lookout Station”

1947 – Evidence shows a tower was built about this year
Abandoned

OUR NOTES

This hike and incredible discovery almost didnt happen. We had a plan to hike to a different lookout site this day and, according to the signage and maps that were posted at the road, the trail was open despite a slow moving fire a few miles away. However, when we got to that trailhead it was roped off and closed.

Since we had already driven the hour up into the mountains we went with Plan B. A trail that started nearby and went to a small hill that had a fire finder in 1931. Not a spot that we would have normally had high on our priority list.

Since we have over 1000 historical sites to visit within the state of Idaho, our priority list sits higher with sites that had a tower – not just a camp or a fire finder. More bang for the buck you could say.

Oh well, we’re here – we need that check mark, so off we hiked.

This trail turned out to be a little more than we had anticipated as well. A few miles longer than the original hike and a large section of this trail was so overgrown that we were singing “Welcome to the Jungle”. Good thing we’re determined (aka stubborn).

Arriving near the top of the mountain we first found some No. 9 wire – which always gets us excited.

But once on top of the mountain we quickly realized – holy cow – there are cement footings! There was a lookout tower here – NOT just a fire finder! There MAY have been a celebratory dance – we cannot confirm or deny.

We also found that the south side of the peak was covered with lumber, some of which could still be easily identified as the stairs and other sections of the lookout.

The above barrel lids each had some rope attachments on the back, as if to hang them. Any ideas what for?

The photo below shows the rock arrow, pointing east, that was next to the lookout foundation.

And we also found what we believe to have been the site of an earlier lookout. Nearby the first location we found 3 tie downs and very old crumbling cement blocks. We assume, because of the tie downs, that this would have been another tower, however without anything to confirm we also need to assume this could have been a ground cabin.

And finally we found 2 benchmarks dating to 1947 – one of which was on one of the newer cement footings – so we are guessing that 2nd larger lookout tower was built about that time.

We have contacted the experts – who most assuredly are NOT us – to see if we can find out more information. As soon as we learn more we will share to this page as well as our social media accounts. If YOU have more information about Trout Peak Lookout in Bonner County, Idaho we would LOVE to hear from you!!!!!!!

Cat, Heather and Billy at Trout Peak Lookout site, September 2025.