Mission Lookout

Friday, October 24, Joyce, Kendra and I hiked to the Mission Lookout in the Flathead National Forest. The lookout, constructed in 1959, is at an elevation of approximately 3,700 feet. It is a 15-by-15 facility atop a 40-foot tower.

To reach the lookout:

From Swan Lake, travel south on Highway 83 for 3 miles. Turn west onto Porcupine Creek Road 10229 (mile-marker 68). After passing Forest Road 9714, turn right onto Forest Road 9803 (2.2 miles after leaving the state highway). Continue on Forest Road 9803 for 1.4 miles, to a gate. The gate may be opened. If not, it can be opened with the same combination code as the tower. The tower and parking area are located just beyond the gate.

The gate was open so we could have driven all the way to the lookout but we parked Kendra's car near the intersection of roads 10229 and 9803 and walked a little over a mile to the lookout.

We gained about 400 ft in elevation.

This lookout was also closed.  We were able to climb the tower until we reached a (combination) locked 'door' in the platform floor.  While this lookout is taller than the Napa lookout, the trees are taller.  So our view of the Swan Mountain Range from just below the cabin floor was merely ok through gaps in the tree tops.

This lookout is a rental lookout.  A fire pit is nearby.  Propane tanks are also nearby with a metal pipe going up the tower to the lookout cabin.

A sign on the tower warned of pack-rats and recommended leaving your vehicle's hood open so pack-rats would not build a nest in your engine compartment.

There is a modern restroom/outhouse at this lookout.