Spyglass Ground House

Closed — Currently closed for winter. The cabin is typically inaccessible during winter months due to snow at the 5,190-foot elevation and impassable forest roads. Reservations available through Recreation.gov when open.

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Air Stagnation Advisory issued January 18 at 10:48AM PST until January 20 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Spokane WA

January 18th, 10:48 AM — January 20th, 12:00 PM

* WHAT...For the Air Stagnation Advisory, stagnant conditions will have potential to trap pollutants near the ground with deteriorated air quality. For the Dense Fog Advisory, visibility down to a half mile in fog. * WHERE...Peck, Lewiston Grade, Schweitzer Mountain Road, Clark Fork, Kellogg, Winchester, Sandpoint, Wallace, Eastport, Craigmont, Soldiers Meadow Road, Bonners Ferry, Lookout Pass, Athol, Dobson Pass, Kamiah, Culdesac, Nezperce, Fourth Of July Pass, Priest River, Mullan, Lewiston, Pinehurst, Lapwai, Gifford, Osburn, St. Maries, and Fernwood. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of pollutants near the surface.

About

Spyglass Lookout Ground House sits atop Spyglass Peak at 5,190 feet elevation in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District. The site has served as a fire lookout location since 1911, with the current ground house dating to the 1930s when it housed lookout staff. After the lookout was abandoned in the 1970s, extensive restoration from 2012 to 2019 transformed the cabin into a recreation rental. The 14x14 foot cabin accommodates 4 guests with two single mattresses on a bedframe and one floor mattress. A Jotul wood stove provides heat, and the cabin includes a kitchen table, chairs, and storage cabinet with basic dishes and utensils. There is no water, electricity, refrigerator, or cooking stove. Outside amenities include a picnic table, fire pit, and a 1930s CCC pit toilet located 150 feet from the cabin. The 53-foot tower support structure remains on site, though the lookout cab was removed in 2014. From the peak, visitors enjoy panoramic vistas of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains, forested slopes, and drainages of the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River. Nearby recreation includes non-motorized hiking trails like Fearn Creek Trail and Halsey Creek Trail within 1.5-2 miles, and fly fishing on Tepee Creek. Wildlife viewing opportunities include moose, elk, deer, wolf, black bear, mountain lion, and various birds. Access requires navigating 6+ miles of rough, single-lane forest roads and unlocking a gate with a combination provided at reservation.

Directions

From I-90 take Exit #43 (Kingston) and drive 24 miles north on Forest Highway 9 to Prichard Junction. Continue on Forest Road 208 for 28 miles to the end of pavement and start of Forest Road 6310 (gravel with large rocks and potholes). Travel 7 miles to Magee Ranger's Cabin historic site, then continue 1/4 mile to the junction with Forest Road 422. Turn left on Road 422 for about 1/2 mile, then left on Road 265. Road 265 is a winding, single-lane road with ruts and limited turnouts. Continue past Magee Airstrip, cross the bridge over Tepee Creek, and continue on Road 265 towards Spyglass Peak for 6 miles. At an unsigned intersection near the top of Spyglass Peak, turn right and unlock the service road gate with the combination provided in your confirmation letter. Drive past the gate 1/4 mile to the top of Spyglass Peak and the cabin. Travel time from Coeur d'Alene is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes.