Volunteers refurbishing Spyglass lookout
July 26, 2012
Volunteers work to erase years of weather damage and vandalism at the Spyglass lookout tower.
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests have partnered with Lutherhaven Ministries and the Forest Fire Lookout Association to renovate three historic structures at Spyglass Lookout.

The structures on Spyglass Peak include Spyglass lookout tower, a groundhouse where workers who staffed the lookout lived when the lookout was operational, and an outhouse.

Years of graffiti are being erased at the Spyglass Lookout, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers.
Located in the upper reaches of the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River basin, the structures have been vacant for more than 20 years while weather and vandalism have taken a heavy toll on the buildings.

In 2011, Lutherhaven Ministries approached Stephan Matz, then Idaho Panhandle NF’s archeologist, about renovating the structures.

Lutherhaven offered assistance with grant funding applications and youth volunteers from Shoshone Base Camp to perform the work. Additional volunteers have come from the Forest Fire Lookout Association and local Forest Service employees.

Through Lutherhaven’s efforts, two major regional grants were awarded totaling more than $25,000. Additional funding was granted by the Forest Fire Lookout Association and combined with funding from the Forest Service, which enabled the groups to begin work on the site this year.

Lutherhaven Ministries owns Shoshone Base Camp, a Christian youth camp which operates Idaho Servant Adventures, a program that brings youth from around the country to North Idaho for public service projects.

Steve Matz, now retired from the Forest Service, is leading volunteers from Shoshone Base Camp, the Forest Fire Lookout Association and Forest Service employees performing work on site.

Spyglass is a multi-year project with the goal of incorporating the site into the forest’s recreational cabin rental program, which generates funding for maintenance on-site.

For more information, please contact the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District’s Fernan office at (208) 664-2318.