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Meadow Peak Lookout (MT)

Kalispell, Montana · USDA Forest Service

Meadow Peak Lookout (MT) — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

Meadow Peak Lookout sits atop its namesake mountain at an elevation of 6,710 feet in the Kootenai National Forest. The lookout has been used as an observation point for spotting forest fires for over 90 years. On July 13, 1948 J.K. Pomajevic wrote, "hiked up to Meadow Peak on Trail 46, about a 6 mile walk from road to lookout. At this point there is a cabin with a cupola on top. It is connected to Bend Ranger Station by telephone". This phone line would have been approximately 14 miles long. The first lookout was a cupola cabin built in 1928, the second lookout was built in 1936 it was a 15' L-4 style lookout and the the current lookout was built in 1957 as a 10' L-4 style for $6299. Leonard Sheffield was the contractor and had 3 Forest Service employees to help with the build. The lookout was last staffed in the 1990's and was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register in 2000. The lookout is typically open from mid-June through late September. High clearance 4 wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires are required. Access to this lookout is along mountain roads with sections of loose sharp rocks and small boulders. This mountain hideaway offers some amenities, but guests should plan to pack in most of their own supplies. Cell service is available at the lookout. Lookouts are rustic in every sense of the word. They are remotely located and lack the conveniences of civilization such as running water, electricity or telephones. Lookouts are usually one room cabins built on top of towers, 40-60 feet from the ground. They are reached by climbing several steep stairs under the single room. They have windows on all four sides, providing a panoramic 360-degree view. These structures are usually very box-like and simply furnished, as the fire spotter used them for work rather than living quarters. Most likely they contain a center table for the alidade (a round instrument on a pedestal that aids in plotting the fire’s exact location on a map), wooden beds, and table and chair placed on an old linoleum floor. Some lookouts include a propane or wood stove. Lookouts are often surrounded by a catwalk, a deck-like addition built around the cabin affording extraordinary, unobstructed views. Meadow Peak lookout stands 10 feet tall and has a 225 square foot cabin, which is encircled by a catwalk. It sleeps four and comes furnished with two twin beds, both with mattresses. Other amenities include a two-burner propane cooktop (bring your own propane), table and chairs

Directions

From Libby follow Highway 2 East for approximately 40 miles. Near mile post 80, take a left onto Meadow Peak Lookout Road 511. Follow road 511 for approximately 8.7 miles to the lookout. Road 511 is a gravel forest road that is STEEP, NARROW with SHARP ROCKS and LOOSE MATERIAL. A HIGH CLEARANCE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AGGRESSIVE OFF-ROAD TIRES IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Road 511 is a gravel forest road that is STEEP, NARROW with SHARP ROCKS and LOOSE MATERIAL. A HIGH CLEARANCE 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AGGRESSIVE OFF-ROAD TIRES IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Refunds will not be given for inadequate vehicle choice. Be aware this mountain road will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel to reach the lookout

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
Montana
City / area
Kalispell
Agency
USDA Forest Service
Parent area
Kootenai National Forest
Campsites
1
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$45 / night
Rating
4.27 / 5 (15 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
See Recreation.gov

Reserve on Recreation.gov

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