The last week of September found me squeezing in a whirlwind trip to an area of Idaho that I hadn’t visited in over 40 years. Trinity Peak Lookout tops the 9,451 foot ridge of the Trinity Mountains. The original stone cabin was built in 1922.

There it sits, perched on that slim ridge of granite.

There it sits, perched on that slim ridge of granite.

I was able to drive to within two miles of the lookout. The last two miles are open to only pedestrians and ATVs.img_6550It’s a steep two miles with a 22% grade.

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This cool sign cheats just a bit, but you get the idea.

In 1956, a concrete base was poured at this location (how that was accomplished is a mystery in itself!) and a wooden cabin with corrugated steel roof was built on top of it. It is one of few fire lookouts still inhabited by Forest Service staff during the fire season. _dsc0385Fire season is pretty much over now so no one was there when I arrived.

This is what the concrete pad is perched on. East side.

The concrete pad perches on this. East side.

Drop off on the west side.

Drop off on the west side.

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I'd hate to negotiate this journey to the out house at night while suffering from diarrhea!

I’d hate to negotiate this journey to the out house at night while suffering from diarrhea!

In the distance you can see Smith’s Prairie, which gives way to the South Fork of the Boise River, and then foothills in the distance. Beyond those foothills lies the Snake River plain which hosts Mountain Home and Mountain Home Air Force Base, with Boise to the north._dsc0395On my way back down, I noticed this interesting bit of anchoring. Doesn’t look all that stable, does it? Wouldn’t want to be perched in that outhouse during an earthquake!