The Forest Service is taking a team approach to restoring a fire lookout on a peak overlooking the Clark Fork River. Although many helping hands are involved, the heavy lifting was done recently by a team of mules in a prestigious pack string based out of the Ninemile Historic Ranger Station and Remount Depot northwest of Missoula.
“It’s a privilege to have your project supported by the regional packers,” said Rachael Reckin, Kootenai National Forest archaeologist. “We had to make our request in the spring. They get to choose which projects they handle and they’re booked all season.”
Reckin is coordinating with the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness to restore the lookout on Star Peak, which stands out like a beacon on its perch above Heron.
Although Highway 200 traffic can be seen from the lookout, getting materials to the site requires a five-mile pack up a steep old mining road and single track trail. “We have to pack in lumber and materials and pack out an old stove and other junk,” Reckin said.
Once the backbone of supplying backcountry lookouts, ranger cabins and camps for trail and fire crews, horses and mules are rare luxuries nowadays in national forests.
From The Billings Gazette: https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/mules-still-used-to-supply-remote-forest-service-projects/article_5d5faa3c-b7d6-5b23-b359-7e70b2c24db2.html