Flag
Point Lookout
- Oregon
Mt. Hood National Forest
Strap chains to the truck tires, drive half way up the eastern slope
of Mount Hood, heft on a backpack full of gear, dry clothes, food and
maps, and ski eleven miles through the forest. Ready for a rest? A
single bed awaits, sixty feet up the lookout tower. If this sounds
like fun, then Flag Point Lookout is the destination for you!
MORE INFORMATION: History | Description | Area
Attractions & Activities | Amenities | Pets | Smoking | Directions |
Warning
Price & Capacity
$30 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are
used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the lookout.
There is an additional space for tent camping.
Reservations
1-877-444-6777 |
Barlow Ranger District
780 NE Court Street
Dufur,
OR 97021
541-467-2291
Other
Mt. Hood National Forest Recreation Rentals
Availability
Flag Point Lookout is a winter rental, available November 1 through
May 31.
-- The maximum
length stay is seven consecutive nights. --
|
History
Flag Point Lookout sits at the 5,650 foot elevation on Flag Point Butte.
The original lookout was built ca. 1924. It was a 6 foot x 6 foot observation
cabin on a 40 foot timber pole tower and the observer used a tent camp.
In 1932 the Forest Service built a standard L-4 style lookout on a 30 foot
pole frame tower to replace the earlier structure. Some reconstruction occurred
in 1955. The present lookout is a 15 x 15 foot R-6 Flat Top Style
built in 1973. The lookout still serves as a summer home for a Forest Service
fire lookout person, who plays a key role in the detection of fires on the
Barlow Ranger District and adjoining lands.
Description
The cabin is atop a 60 foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk.
The 14 x 14 foot room is furnished with a small, single bed, a wood stove
for heating, and a table and chair, and is equipped with a propane cook stove
and a solar lighting system. There is no water on site; visitors must bring
plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. An outhouse is located near by,
as well as a shed stocked with firewood. A rope and pulley system is available
to transport gear, as well as firewood, up and down the tower with ease.
Area
Attractions & Activities
Enjoy cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. After a day
of exploring the trails through this remote area, kick back and enjoy the
stunning view.
Amenities
- Outhouse
- Wood Stove
- Propane Stove
- Solar Lighting
There is an additional space for tent camping.
Pets
No pets allowed.
Smoking
No smoking.
Directions
Drive west out of Dufur on Dufur Valley Road about 18 miles to the junction
of Forest Service Roads 44 and 4430, the Billy
Bob Sno-Park. The road may
be plowed to the Sno-Park. Four-wheel drive vehicles and/or chains are highly
recommended. From this point, visitors ski a full eleven miles to the lookout,
a trip that takes a minimum of eight hours.
Winter access is moderate to
difficult, and not for novice skiers. Warning
Be prepared for extreme weather conditions. Visitors should be experienced
in back country travel and survival skills. The height of the cabin and the
open catwalk pose serious risks for children and pets. The steps and catwalk
can become quite slippery due to rain, snow and ice, and the tower may sway
in strong winds. |