Gem Peak Lookout Rental

A cancellation allowed us to reserve this lookout. This lookout deserves the designation "Gem" because it truly was. It was the largest of any towers we have stayed in and having been recently refurbished (new paint job, very clean inside the tower), it immediately jumped to #1 locations that we have stayed in... Even the vault toilet was exceptionally clean (although two grandsons spent a bout 20 minutes making it cleaner) so the stay at Gem Peak was exceptional. The tower was complete with cookstove, pots/pans, cleaning supplies, etc. Kudos to the Forest Service, or whoever provided that. Hopefully all visitors will leave it as clean as they find it. Access from Trout Creek was no problem with good roads. The last part of the road might benefit from high clearance. Great lookout, great views, great experience. Certainly worthy of a return visit!

lookout has great views, is clean and in good condition. the last 2 miles to gain access to the tower are pretty horrid. the road needs to be graded.

Clean, beautiful tower with amazing views.

Great place, easy access from idaho side via the state line route by idaho point. Plenty of wood, though we brought extra. The wood stove was small, but more than up to the task of heating the small space.

A good solid lookout that's well cared for by the Cabinet Ranger District. There's hardly any vibration when walking around the catwalk or inside the cab making it a good platform for photography. The only thing I missed seeing was some cabinet space. There's not a single one, except for the base of the fire finder and it was already filled up with stuff. It might be a good idea to bring a camp table. There is room for one.

It was over an hour's drive from Noxon, so be prepared for that. But the roads were good and well signed, making it difficult to get lost. There was plenty of firewood for the wood stove but you have to carry it up three flights of stairs. Also, there was no axe for splitting, so don't forget to bring one. The stove heated the cab in a jiffy but there seemed to be a crack in the welding near the top far right corner that leaked smoke when the stove door was open. All in all, the positive aspects of Gem Point far outweigh the minor, negative ones, making it a trip you won't soon forget.

Easily in my top 5 lookout experiences and quality of lookouts. I spent two days here just winding down although I do wish it could have been a few more. It's remote. Very remote. I didn't hear planes or helicopters though there was an active fire going almost due south roughly 10 miles away (Character Complex). I was fortunate in having very little smoke to obscure the view, but just enough to make the sunsets ridiculously colorful.

The two track is easily managed with a normal clearance vehicle if you take your time and avoid the 100's of potholes or at least take them slowly. I came from the northeast so had no issues navigating to the lookout; there is ample signage both to and from. Also, if you're worried there's decent GPS reception.

I think everyone's pet peeve with lookouts is the condition of the vault toilets. This one was immaculate, at least as much as that word can apply to a vault toilet for public use.

The lookout had two twin beds with soft covers on the mattresses which were both in good shape. The woodstove, which I did not need to use, appeared to be very well-maintained. All the windows were screened and functioned perfectly. Only a few panes were broken, but thoughtfully covered with plywood. And unfortunately there is no Osborne fire finder.

The gate about a 1/4 mile down from the lookout doesn't lock, but there is a sign that informs potential visitors to respect the occupants' privacy if it's closed. There is enough room to park 10 vehicles at the lookout.

Our experience was excellent! We drove our fully loaded Odyssey van up Marten Creek and drug bottom a few times. We drove out on Pilgrim Creek, and that was much smoother. Propane grill underneath cabin in good shape. BYOpropane. Cabin could use a rope pulley to lift goods from ground. Also rattle-proof window latches would be an improvement. Thanks to USFS!!!!!

The ride up to the cabin is rough. Go slow.

The roads to get here were rough, but it was so worth it when you got to the top. This was my fourth lookout, and is now my second favorite in the area behind Minton Peak. We were able to comfortably sleep 6 and a dog; a couple of them on the floor of the lookout. The spot was beautiful, and the lookout had a handful of amenities and gadgets left behind by previous visitors. Highly recommend!

Do NOT follow google maps! Coming from Coeur D Alene it took us on a deadly forest road. Climbing over large sharp rocks on a narrow road, make a wrong move and you will tumble down the cliff. Pay CLOSE attention to the roads to be taken on your booking instructions. My fault, but the roads listed were coming from the north, so I thought they were suggestions from nearby towns. This was my first time staying in a lookout. The lookout itself was decent. A picnic table would have been nice. Unfortunately it had lots of flies and some windows were busted out when we were there. Even if we were able to get the flies out they would come right back in through a window. We hung out for a while and opted to leave before dark in order to ensure we found a safer route home and get away from the flies. Plugging the road on the instructions from booking we found a very pleasant route home. If the windows weren’t broken I feel we would have had a wonderful time. The area is beautiful and would have been great for ATV riding and such. Our dog enjoyed our few hours there immensely! Please don’t follow google maps. Lots of people commented in the check in book that the road they took was deadly and terrifying, but I didn’t see it in a review when we went so it doesn’t help if you don’t get the information until you’ve already taken the ride. I hope this post prevents others from having the same experience.