Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Onion Mountain Lookout - Oregon

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

History

The original Onion Mountain Lookout was a raised platform, built in 1916, atop a cribbed-log "tower." A 2-story cupola-style lookout (without a tower) was subsequently been built on this site in 1924; the current structure went up in 1952.

Onion Mountain is named for the tiny wild onions that grow among the rocks at the summit (such tidbits probably flavored many a lookout’s stew). Onion Mountain served as a fire lookout from World War I until the 1970s; during World War II it also did duty as an Aircraft Warning Service observation station, as did many other fire lookouts along the Pacific Coast.

Crank telephone was the only communication link until after World War II. Phone line (#9 galvanized wire) was strung for countless miles between USFS lookouts, guard stations, and ranger stations all over the West. After the War, in the 1950s, radio transmission came to Onion Mountain and other lookouts.

A lookout’s main job was to watch for smoke or other signs of fire (especially after a lightning storm or during the hottest part of summer),"take a fix" on the smoke’s location (using an Osborne Firefinder), and then report its location to the district ranger and the forest guard. The guard would hike or ride a horse to the fight the fire -- followed, if need be, by a larger crew. (Sometimes the lookout would be dispatched to fight a nearby fire.) The lookout also "took the weather" each day, reporting the temp, humidity, wind direction and speed, etc. to the ranger station.

Description

Onion Mountain lookout is at 4,438 feet above sea level and is set atop a 12-foot tower. A visit to the cabin, a 14’ by 14’ block of wood and windows, feels like camping in a house of glass. It is furnished with a bed and a table and chairs, and features a propane cooking stove, refrigerator, and lanterns. A vault toilet is located near the tower. There is no water on site, so visitors must bring sufficient supplies for drinking, cooking and washing. There is no propane heater.

Area Attractions & Activities

In addition to the incredible views and scenic photography opportunities, the area is dotted with wildflowers, such as white, puffy plumes of Bear Grass, bright yellow Snow Mountain Buckwheat and pink and purple Berry’s penstemon. The lookout is located near the Taylor Creek/Onion Way mountain loop, a trail for mountain biking enthusiasts. The Oregon Caves National Monument is within a hour’s drive.

Amenities

• Vault Toilet
• Propane Stove
• Cooking Stove
• Refrigerator
• Lanterns
• No Heater

The site has adequate room for four or five tents.

Pets

Pets are welcome.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

From Grants Pass travel Highway 199 south to Riverbanks Road (milepost 7 -just past the Applegate River) and turn right. Proceed on Riverbanks Road, 5.5 miles to Shan Creek Road and turn left. Travel 8 miles on this gravel road to Forest Service Road (FSR) 2509 and turn right. Proceed 0.75 mile to the Onion Mountain gate. An alternate route: At milepost 15 of Highway 199, take FSR 25, 12 miles to FSR 2509 (Onion Mountain Road) and turn right. Proceed approximately 2.5 miles to the Onion Mountain gate.

Onion Mountain Lookout is accessible by car, but the last 8.75 miles are on graveled Forest Service roads.

Warning

Because of the tower, this site is not recommended for families with toddlers or young children.