Blue Nose Fire Lookout

Blue Nose Fire Lookout in the Salmon National Forest is a log cabin forest fire lookout building sitting on top of the world...but I'll get to that later.

Our inn keeper Elaine has adopted "Ms. Peepers" who was the runt of the flock of American Robbins that nested on her porch. All the others flew the coup (pun intended) and Ms. Peepers was left all alone. Elaine fed her worms for two days and only time will tell if her efforts are rewarded. Personally, I think she should be rewarded regardless just for humanitarian reasons.

Funny thing is...our friends Harold and Fran also flew the coup today for adventures to the south. Donna and I decided on one more trip along the beautiful Salmon River to Chukars Cafe.

Well the river was in good shape until we crossed over Owl Creek where the night before a micro burst sent 4 feet of mud into the river. We followed the Salmon another 6 miles and it was muddy all the way.

The rain from the night before or the muddy water didn't seem to bother this big horned sheep.

Since I had met or exceeded my weight goal bet with my best friend, what better way to celebrate than with a beer and chips?

While we were celebrating at Chukars we got into a conversation with Joey, who had befriended us on earlier trips, about animals. Joey said they saw two moose near Spring Creek Road the other day. Say no more Joey...we are out of here!

It was just under 17 miles of a rough dirt road uphill to the top of Blue Nose peak on the Spring Creek Road. On more than one occasion Donna questioned whether we should be going up here, especially after I had asked her to move some rocks off the road a few times.

We both thought it weird that 10 miles up this bad road was yet another "historical marker" half burnt from the fires of 2012.

Well, apparently some guy camped here in 1835...whoopee!

If it wasn't for Lewis and Clark there wouldn't be anymore than 5 historical markers in the whole state of Idaho. (just joking, no hate mail please)

After 15 miles climbing up the mountain we only have 1 more mile to go...and what a rough one it was.

Just 100 yards down hill from the watch tower was this sagging log cabin that we believe housed one of the families in the 1930 or 1940's.

Just below the very top there was a discussion to walk the rest of the way but my feet trumped such talk!

We made it...8631 feet, although the mountain is claimed to be 8655 feet in elevation but I guess that just shows the error of civilian GPS systems.

It was nice that they still have a flagpole but I don't know the last time it was occupied.

For a cabin that was built in 1934 it has held up pretty well considering the harsh weather it must endure, year after year.

It is really great that they leave the cabin open for the general public but even more astounding was the fact that it is still in good shape and not vandalized. 

The outhouse was still in working condition but if you leaned back and the outhouse tipped over you'd be looking at about a 1000 foot drop.

The lookout only needed one more thing...a garage!

You feel like you are on top of the world here, even if that world is so rocky! All in all, it was a wonderful trip but with a glaring absents of any moose.