Camping in an old Fire Lookout

I read about the West Fork Butte fire lookout online last winter, and had been curious to see it since.  It is a retired fire look-out cabin, with windows giving you a 360 view of the beautiful forest around Lolo.   (Although there were storm shutters up on half of it while we were there.  It had snowed the night before.)         We were able to get reservations for last night... and here it is:

The drive up the mountain side was a little scary, with your typical sheer mountain drop-off on one side, but once we got to the ridge it wasn't too bad.   The cabin had some neat furnishings.

An old propane stove, and old cabinets, a fire box, and a wood stove to keep warm.

Four comfy bunks, and a card table with chairs completed the stylish arrangements.

The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful.  Nothing but forested mountains for as far as you could see.

It was a little tricky climbing over the shale rocks everytime we wanted to get in or out of the cabin, but it made it memorable.

Rock Throwing was the evening main activity.  The kids would hurl rocks down, to smash onto other rocks, and echo for miles.

Even Syliva got into the action...showing us her run-and-throw technique - which I soon put a stop to because I was afraid the momentum would carry her right over the edge along with her rock.

The boys got tired of little rocks, and started hurling  giant slabs.  Perhaps all this noise is what kept us from seeing much wildlife.

The clouds and the view were amazing.  It would be neat to watch the sky in all types of weather.  I'd love to see a good snow storm from the inside view of the cabin.

The evening ended with some games of Magic, around a lantern, with a nice cross breeze blowing throw a couple open windows.

On the way out, I took this picture of a clump of bear grass.  It was everywhere.  I don't think I've ever been anywhere where it was so prolific.

All in all, it was a memorable adventure. The cabin and the view was very cool. Trying to jog down the rocky pile 100 yards to the outhouse was less cool... but still very memorable. 

I'd like to see some other look-outs.  It definately was the most quiet campsite we've had in a long time.  Apparently they are popular with bikers in the west.  I can see why... although I wouldn't want to make that ride up the mountain on a bike.