Poison Lake in western Lassen County was in essence the last frontier for railroad logging in the region. By 1940, the Red River Lumber Company had nearly exhausted its tributary timber around Westwood. It was also a critical time for Red River, not only dealing with a dwindling timber supply, but a younger generation of the Walkers having more influence in the operations.
With the nation already gearing up for the effort, demand for lumber increase, which in turn commanded higher prices.
While Red River was in crossroads about the future of Westwood, they were able to agree on item. With demand for lumber at an all time, and profits, too, it was best to carry on, with the hopes of finding a likely buyer during the good times.
The next destination to log was Red River’s Black/Harvey Mountains tracts some thirty miles north of Westwood. As an extra enticement, Lassen National Forest nine million board feet at Poison Lake. In 1941, Red River established Camp Bunyan at Halls Flat and started logging east towards Blacks Mountain. In 1944, they built railroad logging spurs around Poison Lake. While traveling along Highway 44 west of Poison Lake and looking on the south side of the highway these old railroad grades are still visible.