BEAR GULCH
Mineral County - Lolo National Forest - 16N-26W-30
1925: Log cabin and crow's nest. (Kresek)
July 8, 1926: "Lee L. Mauer, employed at the Bear Creek lookout station between Cedar Creek and Trout Creek near Superior, was struck by lightning about 11:30 in the morning Tuesday, rendering him unconscious for an hour and a half, according to Mauer.
The lookout station is on the highest peak in that range and is used by the forest service to spot fires. It is equipped with telephone and the watchman can call the ranger stations when a smoke is seen. Tuesday Mauer, who was watchman at this station, was observing a heavy electrical storm passing in that vicinity, and took his watch in hand to note the time between the appearance of lightning and the following of thunder. The time, however, was never recorded, as another bolt of lightning closed the lookout station. When Mauer regained consciousness he was lying at the tent door about 16 feet from where he was standing when he was struck and finding he was without the use of his limbs he concluded he would crawl to the phone and notify another station of his condition. He again looked at his watch, according to his report, and it was then 1:00 o'clock p.m. He also discovered that the telephone had been demolished by the lightning, even the insulators had been destroyed. In a short time Mr. Mauer began to regain the use of his limbs and started for Superior taking three hours to come from the station to Cedar Creek, a walk of but one hour in ordinary conditions.
Mr. Mauer has a burned ridge down the right side of his neck, going around the neck at the collar bone and following down the back to his legs and a heavy burn around each ankle. He believes the shock struck the phone and glanced the 16 feet to him. He is around town but claims he is very sore from burns and the jar from being thrown that distance." (The Mineral Independent)
September 15, 1928: "A total of 13 guard cabins and lookout stations have been completed or are nearing completion on the Lolo forest this year as part of the most ambitious improvement program ever attempted by the Lolo National forest, it was announced yesterday by Supervisor C. D. Simpson who has just returned from an inspection trip over the river districts.
Among the new structures: Bear Gulch, where there will be a lookout cabin and a tower." (The Daily Missoulian)
August 21, 1935: "John Mattovich, a lookout located at the Bear Gulch station, five miles southeast of Superior, brought down a 90-pound mountain lion Monday night, it was learned here yesterday.
Mattovich had just left his station on patrol duty when he encountered the animal and shot him." (The Missoulian)
1948: Abandoned. (Kresek)