SANDERS COUNTY
GEM PEAK
Kootenai National Forest
25N-33W-19
25N-33W-19
July 15, 1920: “Ranger Saint has installed the Squaw Peak and Gem Peak lookouts during the last few days.” (The Sanders County Independent-Ledger)
July 15, 1920: “Ranger Saint has installed the Squaw Peak and Gem Peak lookouts during the last few days.” (The Sanders County Independent-Ledger)
July 5, 1956: "The forest service lookout crews were sent out June 25 and 26. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sheppard from Washington are on Gem peak." (Sandpoint News-Bulletin)
July 25, 1957: "Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bevans are on Gem peak. They have both radio and telephone for communications. This is the only one of the lookouts that has a road leading to it." (Sandpoint News-Bulletin)
September 26, 1957: "Bill Doggett bagged a black bear last week on Gem peak. The 170-pound bear had been a frequent visitor at the lookout giving them a bad time." (Sandpoint News-Bulletin)
September 10, 1970: "The Noxon Ranger Station of the U.S. Forest Service announces that Miss Becky Finnigan came down from Gem Peak Lookout on Aug. 28 so that she can return to college. Gary Weber went up to take over her duties to finish out the season." (Sandpoint News Bulletin)
July 31, 1975: "Sanders County sheriff's officers are investigating the death of a Kootenai National Forest employe found dead Tuesday at the Gem Peak Lookout station in the Cabinet Creek Ranger District.
William N. Bruce, 38, had worked four years with the Cabinet Ranger District and prior to that had worked in the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest.
When Bruce did not respond to radio messages Tuesday, Forest Service officials reportedly visited the lookout to investigate.
The lookout is located near the Idaho border south of Noxon." (The Daily Inter Lake)
August 15, 1975: "Spokesmen for the Kootenai National Forest say the July 29 death of a forest employe was an apparent suicide." (The Daily Inter Lake)
August 2018: During the latter part of the month, with the approaching Rampike Fire, the tower was wrapped in fire resistant material. The tower, used in the Recreational Rental program, will likely be closed the remainder of the season.