CHELAN COUNTY
ICICLE RIDGE
Wenatchee National Forest
24N-17E-7
24N-17E-7
September 1923: "The lookout-patrolman on the Icicle Ridge decided it was too lonesome a job to hold alone and thought it a nice place for a honeymoon, so one night after work he went to Leavenworth, got married, and returned to his place of duty at 5 o'clock the next morning. Nothing slow about our lookouts. He made the remark that he was going to show his wife what real roughing it means. During the recent heavy electric storm in this part of the country his word was more than made good, as the tent in which they were living was struck by lightning and both were stunned and knocked quite a distance from their beds. They regained consciousness and during the worst part of the storm stumbled and groped their way to the bottom of the mountain and into town, where they could get help. Mr. Gowing, the lookout, was burned the full length of his spine and is confined to the hospital for a while. Mrs. Gowing did not suffer any bad effects and is around, probably feeling that the thrills of real roughing it are more ideal in anticipation than realization. C.J.C." (Six Twenty-Six)
June 20, 1924: “Forest Supervisor A.H. Sylvester has virtually completed the placing of summer employees in the Wenatchee National Forest.” "Leavenworth Ranger District – Ralph Koerner is lookout patrolman on Icicle Ridge." (The Leavenworth Echo)
June 18, 1926: “A.G. Sharp, of Cleveland, Ohio, arrived here early this week and will be employed as lookout on Icicle Ridge this summer by the forest service. Mr. Sharp is a student at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
June 18, 1926: “A.G. Sharp, of Cleveland, Ohio, arrived here early this week and will be employed as lookout on Icicle Ridge this summer by the forest service. Mr. Sharp is a student at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
August 26, 1927: “Craig Bowman, lookout on the Icicle Ridge for the forestry department, was shocked Tuesday night during the electrical storm and is said to have been 'out' half an hour. Ranger Bob Nickles, who was out on the Icicle river, was also shocked, and others were affected by the storm.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
August 26, 1927: “Craig Bowman, lookout on the Icicle Ridge for the forestry department, was shocked Tuesday night during the electrical storm and is said to have been 'out' half an hour. Ranger Bob Nickles, who was out on the Icicle river, was also shocked, and others were affected by the storm.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
October 12, 1928: “Mr. Ward Shepard, assistant chief of public relations from Washington, and Mr. John Gutherie, assistant district forester from Portland, made a tour of inspection of the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee ranger districts last Thursday and Friday.
A trip was made up Icicle Ridge on horseback. A good view of all the surrounding country was had until a fog came up. Mr. Gutherie remarked that it was an airplane view from horseback. The lookout station was the objective point, but when the fog came in it was debated whether to go on or not. An interesting bit of conversation took place.
'How far is it to where you intend building the lookout house, Mr. Anderson?', asked Mr. Shepard.
'About four miles,' was the reply.
'What's up there now?'
'Only the telephone line and a big rock that has been blasted off flat by Lookout Gaines and Packer Pilgeram, in the way of improvements. The flat rock is to be the foundation for the lookout house.'
'Is the telephone line, foundation and toilet finished?'
'Yes sir, except the hole hasn't been cut in the toilet yet.'
When the party left they were asked for their final conclusions and impressions. It was also gathered that Ranger Anderson was considered a poor carpenter, but, fires taking priority, he would be let down easy.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
October 12, 1928: “Mr. Ward Shepard, assistant chief of public relations from Washington, and Mr. John Gutherie, assistant district forester from Portland, made a tour of inspection of the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee ranger districts last Thursday and Friday.
A trip was made up Icicle Ridge on horseback. A good view of all the surrounding country was had until a fog came up. Mr. Gutherie remarked that it was an airplane view from horseback. The lookout station was the objective point, but when the fog came in it was debated whether to go on or not. An interesting bit of conversation took place.
'How far is it to where you intend building the lookout house, Mr. Anderson?', asked Mr. Shepard.
'About four miles,' was the reply.
'What's up there now?'
'Only the telephone line and a big rock that has been blasted off flat by Lookout Gaines and Packer Pilgeram, in the way of improvements. The flat rock is to be the foundation for the lookout house.'
'Is the telephone line, foundation and toilet finished?'
'Yes sir, except the hole hasn't been cut in the toilet yet.'
When the party left they were asked for their final conclusions and impressions. It was also gathered that Ranger Anderson was considered a poor carpenter, but, fires taking priority, he would be let down easy.” (The Leavenworth Echo)
December 1929: "Can loan six pack frames for packing lumber. These frames were used in packing 48 loads of lumber to Icicle Ridge L.O. Station, 9 miles of steep trail, and not a single load had to be readjusted. Only one horse developed a sore. Ex ranger Alfred McDonald gave us the idea and Packer A.K. Pilgeram did the packing. Will try to make a draft of the frames for the next 6-26." (Six Twenty-Six)
August 3, 1932: “John Nelson, forest service lookout stationed on Icicle Ridge, spotted the fire which burned two cottages in East Wenatchee Monday afternoon before the blaze was reported to the local fire department, it was learned at the Wenatchee national forest office here today.
From his cabin perched high up in the Cascades, Nelson called Supervisor Gilbert D. Brown in his office here on the telephone and asked what buildings were afire in town. Brown climbed to the roof of the Federal building and soon located the blaze across the river. A few minutes later the fire bell rang.” (The Wenatchee World)
June 23, 1933: Leavenworth District: Frank Allman, Icicle Ridge lookout. (The Leavenworth Echo)
August 15, 1935: “A forest service lookout on Mission peak reported smoke this morning, a short distance to the east of Saddle Rock. He was correct. Fifty firemen were burning off dry grass and weeds on some vacant lots south of Orondo avenue.” (The Wenatchee Daily World)
Removed