Winter @ Moran Patrol Cabin
Caleb 📷 Stolte
2022 Restoration Projects
900+ Contributed Person-Hours
$31,000+ In-kind Value to the
Kootenai National Forest and Glacier National Park
Meadow Peak
Meadow Peak Lookout
2022 brings to a close the final phase of the Meadow Peak Lookout project which started in 2015. This lookout will serve the general public for future generations to experience the uniqueness and tranquility of fire lookout life. The late 2022 spring snowpack delayed access to this drive-to lookout; however, in late June we were able to complete this project as planned. Thanks to Mike Burham, John Zardis, Chuck Manning, Rick Davis, and his daughter Lindsay who did the final touchup scraping and painting to make it look just as it did when constructed in 1957. A special thank you also goes out to the Kootenai National Forest Heritage Program and the Libby Ranger District who assisted us throughout the project period.
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Rick Davis
Chuck Manning
Mount Wam
Kootenai National Forest
The Mount Wam project was delayed for two weeks due to trail access across Clarence Creek. The late spring runoff caused the delay. The lookout door was flown out to be restored in 2021 and back in late spring to be reinstalled by Chuck Manning. The lookout shines with a new coat of paint thanks to Don Stolte and Karen Sheets who battled the mosquitoes to get it done. The Youth Conservation Corp helped pack in and out tools and food along with shovels and a rock bar which was needed to start digging a new outhouse hole. The Youth Conservation Corp is an amazing group of young people willing to take on any task. Thank you YCC!
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Donald Stolte
Chuck Manning
McGuire
Kootenai National Forest
McGuire Lookout is in the Recreation.gov rental program and is a very popular destination lookout. The Forest Service removed it from the program during the first week on August so the NMLA could finish some tasks that were not completed in 2021. These tasks were to put the final touches on the shutters for both the lower and cupola windows. Volunteers Helen Tyree, Joe and Joann Schmidt, Rick Davis, Chuck Stearns, Chuck Manning and John Wilson worked tirelessly to accomplish what needed to be done. An outhouse pit was started and will be finished next year so the outhouse structure can be moved to a new location. The Youth Conservation Corp helped pack in supplies and water
for our 5 day stay.
Thank you YCC!
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Rick Davis
Chuck Manning
Mount Brown
Glacier National Park
August 23-30, 2022
Mount Brown Lookout is perched overlooking Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park (GNP).
This year’s project wrapped up several years of maintenance work which included major stair repairs, replacing cracked windows and painting. Leanne Roberts, whose parents staffed the lookout (and honeymooned) in 1956, joined the crew and shared many stories about their summer on Mount Brown with volunteers Bob Cowdrick (who flew in from GA) and Chuck Manning.
Mike Barham hiked up to the lookout for a day’s work at the end of the project to help
with some end of the project tasks.
A special thank you must go out to GNP for their invaluable pack stock support.
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Chuck Manning
Big Creek Baldy
Kootenai National Forest
In June a crew of five lead by Jim Wehr of Roofworks, and Board member Troy Denman removed the current roof. They managed to carry the new rubber membrane and needed materials up the steep steps! The new roof was installed and the lightning protection made functional.
The crew put in a few long days. A special crew was needed due to the complexity of the roofing need and required fall protection.
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Troy Denman
Deb Starling
NW Peak Condition Assessment
Kootenai National Forest
Last Lookout assessment for this year;
my first time ever at NW Peak Lookout.
Such an awesome location;
granite is the main rock here; very interesting.
With Katie Marsonette, Terry Divoky and Dennis Divoky
Lookout is in very good shape, needs lots of paint.
Donald Stolte - TL
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Donald Stolte
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Donald Stolte
Robinson Condition Assessment
Kootenai National Forest
Great hike to Robinson Lookout to make a restoration assessment; lookout needs a little help but still a wonderful place;
almost 7600 feet: with Katie Marsonette,
Terry Divoky and Dennis Divoky.
Donald Stolte - TL
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Donald Stolte
Star Condition Assessment
Kootenai National Forest
Star Peak Assessment
The Star Peak Lookout assessment was led by Bob Lambrecht. NMLA volunteers Katie Marsonette, Karen Sheets, and Greg Evans joined Bob in conducting this assessment which was an important task to document its condition so the Cabinet Ranger District can prioritize a restoration sequence. If everything goes as planned, the restoration of this lookout will begin in the next couple of years.
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Greg Evans
Karen Sheets
Apgar Condition Assessment
Glacier National Park
August 1, 2022
Apgar Lookout Assessment
Karen Downs, Kathy Butterfield, Mike Barham and Greg Evans conducted a condition assessment on Apgar Lookout. Kathy Butterfield led this year’s assessment which is done every three years. The NMLA painted Apgar lookout in 2016 and it is still in good condition structurally but is already in need of a fresh coat of paint. Hiking to this lookout is very popular as it is close to Apgar Village and is accessed by a well-maintained trail.
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Karen Downs
Mike Barham
Numa Ridge Condition Assessment
Glacier National Park
April 19, 2022
Overlooking Glacier National Park’s Bowman Lake and the North Fork Valley,
Numa Ridge Lookout sits at 6,960 ft elevation.
Katie Marsonette was the assessment crew leader joined by volunteers
Molly Tingley and Kip Melling.
Numa Ridge is a staffed lookout and in good condition, however,
the outhouse needs some help as it was flattened by last winter’s snow.
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Molly Tingley
Swiftcurrent Condition Assessment
Glacier National Park
August 10, 2022
Swiftcurrent Lookout
Swiftcurrent Lookout is the highest point accessed by trail in Glacier. Kathy Butterfield was the lead on this assessment and was joined by Chris Holdhusen, Molly Tingley, and Mike Barham. Swiftcurrent is a staffed lookout and is very well maintained. Molly Tingley reported weather August 10th at Swiftcurrent Lookout as being “51° and winds at 20-25 mph with gusts up to 31 mph”.
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Chris Holdhusen
Mike Barham
Molly Tingley