Timber Mtn Lookout Rehab 2017 - Passport in Time

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Current Projects > 2017
Washington - Colville NF
Closed! Timber Mountain Lookout Restoration

20150609_115850_hdr.jpg by Stuart Chilvers, US Forest Service
Southeast corner of the 40’ tall Timber Mountain Lookout


WA-4349
August 7-11, 2017

Must commit to entire session

Join us this summer as we "reconstruct the past” and save an iconic lookout on the Colville NF! The Timber Mountain Lookout was built in 1959 for fire detection on the Colville. It is an "R-6 Flat Cab"-type lookout built on a 40’ wooden tower. It saw its last formal use as a fire lookout in the mid-1970s and, although disused, still functions, intermittently, as originally intended when thunderstorms come through the region. This lookout commands an impressive view of the Pend Oreille Valley and the Selkirk Mountains, home to diverse and abundant wildlife such as grizzly bear, moose and wolves and the surrounding area is a popular area for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, canoeing and OHV riding.

Although neglected for a number of years, there is a strong desire on the part of locals and the Forest Service to preserve this old structure and to make it available to the public. Therefore, this year with your help, we will help to put this building and its commanding views back to use. PIT volunteers and FS staff will repair and paint this structure until it shines like new. This will require a number of tasks, including (but probably not limited to): replacing severely checked or rotten timbers, removing old paint (and then re-painting), repairing broken or damaged interior features and installing a new sub floor. It will be sweaty and dirty work, but a lot of fun (especially if you like heights!), and you will be able to say that you helped breathe life back into this iconic structure. We hope you will join us in August!

Number of openings: 4

Special skills: Must be physically capable of lifting/bending/kneeling/standing/stooping for extended periods (6-8 hours) each day in a variety of weather conditions; previous carpentry, roofing, construction, painting, general maintenance, and/or historic building restoration experience helpful, but not required

Minimum age: 16 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult

Facilities: A camping area will be provided at Gillette Lake Forest Service campground. The location provides improved amenities in a formal campground suited for tent, RV and trailer use, plus a resort area with some food and other items available; potable water and garbage collection; Forest Service will provide a cook tent with propane and cooking equipment; additional campgrounds located nearby at lakes, but are more secluded; amenities vary and fees may apply; other accommodations can be made at volunteer expense at nearby Beaver Lodge Resort (cabins for rent), and Colville and Ione are full-service communities with hotels/motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, food, extra water, and daily transportation to designated meeting areas (if opting to stay off-site)

Nearest towns: Colville, 28 miles; Ione, 30 miles; Usk, 33 miles

Applications due: Closed

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