MINERAL COUNTY
CAMELS HUMP
Lolo National Forest
19N-28W-33
19N-28W-33
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: Camel's Hump." (The Daily Missoulian)
Among the new structures: Camel's Hump." (The Daily Missoulian)
September 1, 1932: “Glen Sunderlin, who has been employed as lookout on Camel's Hump, returned to Salmon, Idaho, on Saturday to resume his work as principal of the Salmon schools.” (The Mineral Independent)
September 1, 1932: “Glen Sunderlin, who has been employed as lookout on Camel's Hump, returned to Salmon, Idaho, on Saturday to resume his work as principal of the Salmon schools.” (The Mineral Independent)
December 11, 1956: "On March 25, 1953, Ranger Ensign sent a memorandum to the Supervisor of the Cabinet Forest describing the condition of lookout structures on the St. Regis District and giving the date when replacement would be required. In this memorandum, he estimated that Camels Hump Lookout should have the tower and cab replaced in 1965.
Inspections the last two years have indicated that the 1965 estimate was too optimistic, and we believe this structure should be replaced in the next two years.
We have prepared a statement of the condition of the tower in accordance with the inspection outline which was attached to the Regional Forester's memorandum of November 18, 1954, designated E(F) - IMPROVEMENTS - Lookout Replacement Program. The information requested in the inspection outline is as follows:
Name of Lookout - Camels Hump
Forest - Couer d'Alene (Lolo)
Date - December 10, 1956
Height of Catwalk - 50 feet
Size of Cab - 14' x 14'
Year Built - 1933
Treated Members - No
Fire Plan Class - Permanent (Manned at fuel moisture of 48)
1. Timber members.
a. Are legs sound?
Legs are composed of round larch timbers, 50 feet in length, 18" in diameter at the bottom and 9" in diameter at the top. In the 2 legs on the south side, rot is 1 1/2" deep (depth of the sap ring) all the way around. The rot extends up these legs about 48". The rot in the 2 legs on the north side of the tower is about 1" deep for 2/3 of the distance around the leg. It extends up the leg about 30".
b. Are braces sound?
The horizontal braces, spreaders, and stair landings are constructed of 6" round material.
Bottom 4 horizontal braces and spreaders were replaced in 1954.
The second set of braces, about 10 feet above the bottom of the tower, have rotted spots on the upper sides, with the south and west members being in the worst condition. Rotten spots are about 1/2" deep and the timbers weather cracked.
The third and fourth set of braces are in better condition, but there is evidence of spot rot just starting in the braces on the south side of the tower.
Stair landings - The bottom set and the second set (10 feet up) were replaced in 1950. The second landing is sagging and shows rot about 1/2" deep in spots on the upper side. The balance of the stair landings would have to be replaced by 1958.
c. Is cab platform in good condition?
The cab platform is O.K. except that some 2" x 6" floor pieces need replacing by 1957 (approximately 10% of these). The caps and floor joists are O.K.
d. Are stairways safe?
Bottom bent replaced in 1950. Balance of stair horses show dry rot at ends and will have to be replaced by 1958. The steps are worn and loose, although they have been re-nailed several times. The hand rails are O.K., although the bolts have pulled into the wood because of swelling and shrinking.
2. Steel members.
All steel members - guys, rods, etc. - are O.K.
3. General.
Cab is L-4 type with gable roof.
a. Roof, windows, doors, etc. are O.K.
b. Shutter supports are secure and clear the catwalk.
c. Lightning protection is standard, except 50% of clamps are not the 'U' type. It is planned to replace these in 1957.
d. There is no telephone at this point.
e. Clearing and fireproofing is O.K.
4. Estimated life of tower.
a. The state of deterioration of the main members is general and not economical for major repair. Estimated safe life is one season.
b. The tower legs are not sound.
(Memorandum to Forest Supervisor from John C. Crupper, D.F.R.)
DESIGNATION - CAMELS HUMP LOOKOUT TOWER
PID - SU1000
STATE/COUNTY- MT/MINERAL
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - BOYD MOUNTAIN (1988)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1940 (ANS)
CAMELS HUMP FOREST SERVICE LOOKOUT TOWER IS IN THE CABINET
NATIONAL FOREST, 14-1/2 MILES WSW OF PLAINS, 18 MILES SE OF
THOMPSON FALLS, AND 5 MILES NNW OF ST. REGIS RANGER STATION.
THE TOP OF THE TOWER WAS INTERSECTED.