Yaak Mountain Lookout - Troy, MT

An overnight stay for the height-seeking enthusiast!

This trip was VERY eye-opening for me in multiple ways. I have wanted to stay at a lookout for years now, and previously had a reservation at one that got cancelled because of severe weather. Anyway, I was really looking forward to doing this trip. When looking for a lookout to stay at, the height of this one appealed to me, the distance to Coeur d'Alene, the views, and the location nearby Kootenai Suspension Bridge made this lookout so enticing.

I had my two year old son with me and my brother and his wife and one year old daughter were with us as well.

Very quickly I realized that I can't do heights anymore which was EXTREMELY disappointing to me, I never expected to be this person, I mean within the last ten years I was a zipline guide and bungee jumped for goodness sake. How did I suddenly become uneasy with heights?! UGH! Such a bummer! Needless to say, eveything I thought I would love about this lookout when I booked it, turned out to not be a love at all. Maybe it had to do with the fact I had a two year old with me at such heights- I can only hope.

Yaak Mountain Lookout is an old fire lookout that is 45 feet high.

DRIVING TO THE LOOKOUT:

The drive northeast from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is GORGEOUS! Driving through Bonners Ferry and the west side of Montana in late spring/early summer is so lush and green! The drive has water views a majority of the way, which I absolutely love.

ACCESSING:

It's accessed by a dirt road that switchbacks up the sides of Yaak Mountain. A higher clearance vehicle with AWD or 4x4 is recommended. We had a Toyota Landcruiser and Tundra we took up with us. You will be given a gate code to get into the gate of the lookout road and one to get into the lookout itself.

BOOKING YOUR STAY:

This look out books out 6 months in advance and we HIGHLY recommend setting a calendar reminder 6 months prior to the day you want to stay there in order to get your reservation. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.

THE INSIDE OF THE LOOKOUT:

This lookout was surprisingly spacious! Two twin beds, a propane stove & oven, a table for 4 and we had space to put down two full size air mattresses on the ground. The beds have two mattresses on them, but bringing your own sheets and bedding is needed. We brought sleeping pads to lay on the mattresses (just seemed more sanitary to me). A mop, broom, few pots and pans, and Yahtzee & cards are all provided.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE LOOKOUT:

• The winch: The lookout has a winch at the top to bring you items up and down rather than carrying them up the multiple sets of stairs. For us, it seems like it was taking FOREVER to get get the hook down to use it and with the wind, we decided against it. This does make for a lot of trips up and down the stairs, which is honestly not the most enjoyable thing.

• Fire pits: There are two really nice fire pits, which is a MUST in my opinion when you're camping. There's no better dessert than a s'more. :)

• Outhouse: A clean outhouse is provided (though it is at the bottom of all the stairs)

• 360 degree views that are worth taking in!

WHAT I LOVED:

• The views were GREAT! I just couldn't get my scared self to stand on the wrap-around balcony to enjoy them.

• How nice the lookout was inside and how big. We were pleasantly surprised.

• Lots of reading materials (guest books dating back to the early 80's, info books about the area & nature, etc.)

• Several decks of cards & dice games provided

• Propane stove!

• It's so peaceful up there

• Any excuse to sleep in my sleeping bag. Seriously, it is so comforting to me.

WHAT I DID NOT LOVE SO MUCH:

• Mosquitoes. Not horrendous, but they were definitely present.

• The wind. It was SOO windy. It would wake us up, it made doing trip with the kids and the things up and down the stair difficult.

NEARBY ACTIVITY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Definitely do the .35 mile hike to Kootenai Suspension Bridge! It's 100' up and 200' long and it's over beautiful blue water and it's about 40 minutes away.

ADVICE:

• I highly suggest consolidating your things into larger bags that you can carry up in less trip. The stairs lose their appeal quick.

• I would't bring toddlers or little kids (we are learning that some things are just not as enjoyable with kids at, in this season of life)

• Don't forget to write in the guest book and read the other guests stories, you'll learn some neat things about the area, and even get an idea on good times to go. It seems like June the weather is typically pretty windy (we definitely experienced this) and rainy (fortunately, no rain for us).