FERRY COUNTY
WHITESTONE RIDGE
Colville Indian Reservation
29N-34E-10
29N-34E-10
September 14, 1931: “Additional rains within the Colville reservation have reduced the fire hazard so that the lookout men on Moses mountain and Whitestone peak are being relieved for the season.” (The Wenatchee Daily World)
1935: A L-4 lookout house was built on this rocky point by Civilian Conservation Corps labor.
November 7, 1960: "This lookout, at elevation 4762, consists of a wooden cabin located on the edge of a fractured rock cliff and which serves as both lookout and quarters. It was built by the CCC in 1935 at a cost of about $900.
This lookout is 50 miles from the Agency and 20 miles from a paved highway. Access is by a very steep and narrow dirt road. Radio reception is good. Strong wind and heavy ice conditions are common. Water is carried one mile. Wood for fuel is available.
The cabin is in very poor condition due to age and weathering. There has been some slippage of portions of the rock cliff on which it sits, raising doubts as to soundness of the foundation. The exterior walls and platform and stair are in a very deteriorated, unsafe condition. Cottage-type windows make fire-watching very difficult and tiring. Age and weathering of the materials make effective rehabilitation impossible.
It is proposed that a cabin be built ten feet back from the edge of the cliff and placed on a new footing, thus raising the structure some 15 feet above the present position with resultant improvement in surveillance. Site for building is approximately 50 ft. x 60 ft. with a 20-foot rise in elevation from one edge to the other. This area consists of large fractured rock and the footing would have to be anchored with grouted rods. Cabin should have vertically pivoted windows with panes of tinted glass for unimpaired visibility." (Inspection Report)
November 7, 1960: "GENERAL:
Whitestone lookout was constructed by the CCC in 1935 at a cost of about $900. It consists of a wooden cabin 14 x 14 ft. located on the edge of a fractured rock cliff at elevation 4762, and which serves as both lookout and quarters. It covers the areas of Nine-Mile Creek Drainage, Hellgate, portions of the lower San Poil and the west side of the Spokane Reservation.
This lookout is 50 miles from the Agency and 20 miles from a paved highway. Access is by a very steep and narrow dirt road, passable only to vehicles with 4-wheel drive. Radio reception is good. Strong wind and heavy ice conditions are common. Water is carried one mile.
The cabin is in very poor condition due to age and weathering. There has been some slippage of portions of the rock cliff on which it sits, raising doubts as to soundness of the foundation. The exterior walls and platform and stair are in a very deteriorated, unsafe condition. Cottage-type windows make fire-watching very difficult and tiring. Age and weathering of the materials make effective rehabilitation impossible.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that a new cabin be constructed a few feet back from the edge of the cliff and elevated ten to fifteen feet, thus improving the view of surrounding forest lands. Cabin should have vertically pivoted windows with panes of tinted glass for unimpaired visibility.
ESTIMATED COST
Estimated cost of construction of a cabin on Whitestone is $10,000.
(Report of Existing Conditions)