Coolwater was one of the first lookout sites developed in the Lochsa-Selway country, built in 1915. One of the duties of early lookouts here was relaying heliograph messages from other lookouts that were not serviced by telephone lines.
Black Butte, located in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, is a difficult trail that navigates over a series of ridges and valleys. While there is shade along the way, the tree coverage is pretty sparse in areas.