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Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
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Recreational ActivitiesHome : Recreational Activities : Activities : Special Places : Lookouts LookoutsMt. Baker Ranger DistrictFour historic lookouts are located on the Mt. Baker Ranger District which were formerly used as fire lookouts. They have been adopted by local organizations which volunteer time and materials to maintain the facilities. The lookouts are open to the public for day or overnight use on a first-come first-served basis. The lookouts are generally inaccessible until mid to late summer due to snow. If you plan to spend the night in a lookout be aware that they may be occupied when you arrive. Park Butte Lookout (Built 1932)Access: Forest Road 13 (Baker Lake Basin), Trail #603 - Hiker/Horse Distance to Lookout: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 2100 feet This lookout offers great close up views of Mt.
Baker and the Twin Sisters Range. The trail usually becomes snow-free
by mid-July. The creek crossings can be difficult in the afternoon so
please use caution. Lookout maintenance is performed by volunteers from
the Skagit Alpine Club. Winchester Lookout (Built 1935)Access: Twin Lakes Road #3065 (N Fork Nooksack area), Trail #685 - Hiker Only Distance to lookout: 2 miles Elevation Gain: 1300 feet Winchester provides great views of the Northern Picket
Range and Canadian Peaks. The steep snowfields usually require an ice-axe
well into July. The Twin Lakes road may not be be passable to the trailhead
which will add 2 more miles to the hike. Volunteers from the Mt. Baker
Hiking Club maintain the lookout. Hidden Lake Lookout (Built 1931)Access: Sibley Creek Road #1540 (Cascade River Area), Trail #745 - Hiker Only Distance to lookout: 3.5 miles Elevation gain: 3300 feet Steep snowfields on the trail usually require an ice axe well into July. The views from the Hidden Lake Lookout include the south unit of the North Cascades National Park and the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The lookout is maintained by volunteers from the Friends of Hidden Lake Lookout.. Lookout Mountain Lookout (Built 1962)Access: Cascade River Road, Trail 743 - Hiker Distance to lookout: 4.7 miles Elevation gain: 4300 feet Usually snowfree by late July. The lookout offers spectacular views of Teebone Ridge, Hidden Lake Peak, Eldorado Peak, and other icy Cascade peaks. Please respect the lookout building and its contents. Warning: To prevent the collapse of catwalks, the number of people on catwalks should be limited to two persons per side at one time. Darrington Ranger DistrictTwo lookouts in this district are open to the public on a first come first served basis for day or overnight use. These lookouts are maintained by volunteers of the Everett Mountaineers. Three Finger / Goat Flats (Built 1932-33)Access: Tupso Pass Road (#41), Trail #641 - Hiker only Distance to lookout: 6.7 miles Elevation gain: 3854 feet The hike to the lookout is very difficult and strenuous. The last 0.5 mile of the trail requires mountain climbing equipment expertise. A short, steep section of the Three Fingers Glacier must be traversed, followed by a rocky scramble and ascent of steep ladders to the lookout on the south peak of Three Fingers Mountain. As there is considerable exposure, those using the cabin and ladder must determine for themselves if the climb to the lookout is safe. Maintenance of the lookout is performed by Everett Mountaineers. Mount Pilchuck Lookout (Built 1918 - Rebuilt by Everett Mountaineers in 1990)Access: Pilchuck Road (#42), Trail #700 - Hiker Only Distance to lookout: 3.0 miles Elevation gain: 2224 feet The hike to this lookout is strenuous and in the summer can be very crowded. At the top is an incredible panoramic view of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains as well as the Puget Sound lowlands. The trail is usually snow covered until midsummer. The trail climbs through beautiful old growth forest around heather covered hummocks to the rocky summit. Skykomish Ranger DistrictThere are two lookouts in this district open to the public. Heybrook LookoutAccess: US Highway 2 (2 miles past road to Index), Trail #1070 - Hiker Only Distance to lookout: 1 mile Elevation Gain: 900 feet The trail begins by climbing through a second growth forest regenerated from clear cutting in the 1920's. Heybrook is an excellent early season hike because it is usually one of the first trails to be snow free in this area. The lookout is being rebuilt by volunteers from the Everett Mountaineers and is nearing completion. Evergreen Mountain LookoutAccess: Forest Road #65 to #6550 to #6554 Trail #1056 - Hiker Only Distance to lookout: Trail is 1.5 miles. Due to Flood Damage on Road 6554 (Evergreen Mountain Road) at MP 1.4, there is no access to Evergreen Mountain Lookout Trail. Elevation gain: For just the trail the gain is 1,287 feet This trail climbs steeply the first 2/3 mile through
the old Evergreen Mountain Burn of 1967. The trail then enters dense forest
while easing the grade a bit until reaching a small saddle below the lookout.
The trail then becomes steep again before reaching the lookout. Views
on a clear day include: Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier and a 360 degree vista
of surrounding peaks. The trail is noted for wildflowers, scenery and
sighting wildlife. Pack in plenty of water as there are no water sources
along the trail. The lookout was rebuilt by the Everett Mountaineers. Find out more about this lookout » This lookout is not available for rental at this time. Snoqualmie Ranger District - North Bend AreaOnly one lookout in this district is open to the public. It is a manned lookout so it is only open during the day. The lookout is cared for by both volunteers and the Forest Service and is traditionally open from May to October. Granite Mountain (Built approx. 1924 replaced in 1956)Access: I-90 exit 47, at stop sign turn left crossing the over pass, at the "T" make a left until you reach the Pratt Lake trailhead parking. Trail #1007 to #1016 - Hikers Only Distance to lookout: 4.3 miles Elevation Gain: 3629 feet The trail begins by rising steeply and does not let up for almost its entire length. In midsummer water is scarce along the trail. In August and September, wildflowers and huckleberries are abundant. The lookout offers great views of the Cascades. Snoqualmie Ranger District - White River AreaOnly one lookout in this district is open to the public for day use only. Suntop Lookout (Built 1933)Access: From State Route 410 to FS Road #73 to #7315 to #510, Trail #1183 - Hikers Only Distance to Lookout: Can currently drive to the lookout. Elevation Gain: 270 feet On a clear day the view is superb: Mt. Rainier is only 10 miles away to the south. The view also includes the central Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Baker 150 miles to the north. A spectacular drop of 3000 feet leads down to the White River on the east and Huckleberry Creek on the west. A
Northwest Forest Pass is
required for all vehicles parked at the trailheads used to access the
lookouts. LOOKOUT SHELTERS - TIPS FOR OVERNIGHT USERS Detailed instructions for the operation of the lookout shelters are posted inside the building. Please read and follow these instructions carefully. See these instructions for the location of water sources and toilets and for the use of any lookout facilities. Transfer gasoline outside the building and use great caution to prevent fires. Rodents may be present inside the lookout building. Take every precaution to keep the lookout clean and store food in the rodent proof containers provided. Before leaving the lookout, make sure it is cleaner than you found it. Pack out all garbage. Replenish any supplies you use or send a donation to the organization responsible for the maintenance of the lookout. Two nights are the recommended maximum stay. Volunteer work parties have priority at the lookout shelter. Generally, two or three work party weekends are held at each lookout per year. If a work party is present, a notice will be posted at the trailhead. For more information about volunteering or contributing to the maintenance of these facilities, please contact: WINCHESTER LOOKOUT THREE FINGERS, PILCHUCK, EVERGREEN, and HEYBROOK
LOOKOUTS |
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USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |