Heaven's Peak Lookout project delayed for year

A combination of deep snow and more urgent repairs elsewhere has postponed a plan to stabilize the old Heaven's Peak Lookout in Glacier National Park.

The lookout is located on the north ridge of Heaven's Peak and is not accessible by established trail. Park crews are focused on making repairs this summer to the Sperry and Granite Park chalets as well as the Scalplock Lookout, said Mary Riddle, the Park's compliance and environmental protection specialist.

Record snowpack this winter and spring buried the three backcountry structures in deep snow this winter, and Sperry Chalet was sideswiped by an avalanche. Damage included the roof at Sperry Chalet, the deck at Granite Park and the roof at Scalplock Mountain Lookout.

The Heaven's Peak Lookout was also socked in with snow, and significant snow remains in higher elevations throughout the Park.

Riddle said the Park will attempt to rehabilitate the Heaven's Peak Lookout next summer. The project raised some controversy with wilderness advocates, who objected to helicopter flights dropping off supplies.

They also had concerns about the length of stay near the lookout. The work, which will be done by Park staff and volunteers, is expected to take up to 40 days. Crews would live in a spike camp below the lookout site.