SANDERS COUNTY
VERMILLION PEAK
Kootenai National Forest
23N-29W-9
23N-29W-9
September 2, 1936: “They are packing equipment for a new lookout on Vermilion peak at the head of Graves creek. Ben Cox is the foreman in charge.” (The Sanders County Independent-Ledger)
September 25, 1936: "Bears are infesting the Vermillion creek country, according to reports received here. Charles Herman, employe of the forest service, reports that he was engaged on the construction crew of a lookout being built on Vermillion peak.
The day previous to his arrival at the camp a week ago two tents had been torn to shreds and the food supply in the in the tents gone. The tents had been entered while the men were working a short distance away.
On Herman's first night in camp he was awakened by a noise outside. He picked up a .22 rifle and went to investigate. As it was a dark night he saw only the outline of a form which he took to be one of the plundering animals. He fired some shots but all missed their mark and the animal disappeared into the night.
The next morning on a short reconnoitering tour, Herman says he came upon the largest black bear he had ever seen.
Permission was given from government headquarters to wage war upon the animal should they become a further nuisance about the camp.
Five other bears were seen but no more damage done." (The Independent Record)
The day previous to his arrival at the camp a week ago two tents had been torn to shreds and the food supply in the in the tents gone. The tents had been entered while the men were working a short distance away.
On Herman's first night in camp he was awakened by a noise outside. He picked up a .22 rifle and went to investigate. As it was a dark night he saw only the outline of a form which he took to be one of the plundering animals. He fired some shots but all missed their mark and the animal disappeared into the night.
The next morning on a short reconnoitering tour, Herman says he came upon the largest black bear he had ever seen.
Permission was given from government headquarters to wage war upon the animal should they become a further nuisance about the camp.
Five other bears were seen but no more damage done." (The Independent Record)
June 22, 1946: “Forest service packers, arriving at Vermillion Lookout station, found the place a wreck. The quarters are atop a tower, but bruin managed to get up there and into the lookout itself. Mattresses were torn in shreds by the bear, which evidently had been in search of food.” (Independent Record)
1963: Destroyed. (Kresek)
Removed