Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Clearwater Lookout Cabin - Washington

Umatilla National Forest

History

The cabin, built in 1935, is located at the foot of Clearwater Lookout Tower, which was constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The tower has become a focal point for helicopters, thus a heliport was constructed for the purpose of fire protection.

Description

The small, wood-framed cabin sits on a green, grassy clearing at an elevation of 5600 feet above sea level. It is divided into a kitchen and a bedroom, and is furnished with two double beds and two single beds. The cabin is kept warm in the winter by a propane heater, and features propane lights and a refrigerator, as well as some cookware, dishes and utensils.

An outhouse is located nearby. There is no water on site, and visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. Accessing the lookout tower on site is not allowed.

Area Attractions & Activities

During summer months, take the short scenic drive on Forest Service Road 40 to Sunset Point overlooking the Tucannon drainage. Horseback riding and hiking trails into the Tucannon drainage can be accessed within a few miles from the cabin. In season, pick wild mushrooms (such as morels, wax caps, red/yellow corals, bolete, puff balls, shaggy mane, chantrelle, hedge hog and bear head), and berries (such as huckleberries, bearberry honeysuckle, bearberry kinnikinnik and wild strawberries). Watch for wildlife during the day and gaze at stars and the Milky Way at night. In the winter, enjoy snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails and cross-country skiing.

Amenities

• Outhouse
• No Water
• Propane Lights
• Refrigerator
• Heater

Tent camping is not permitted on the site.

Pets

Pets are welcome.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

The cabin is located approximately 22 miles from Pomeroy. Take 15th St. south to Forest Boundary. Continue on Forest Service Road 40 for about 7 miles to Clearwater Junction. The cabin is located to the right at the base of Clearwater Lookout Tower. Visitors may park right beside the cabin, but not on the concrete helipad.

Automobile access to the site runs from June 1 thru Nov. 1. During the winter months, visitors must park at the Rose Springs Sno-park, approximately one and a half miles inside the Forest Boundary. From this point, visitors can either snow mobile or cross-country ski approximately five and a half miles over a beginning to intermediate level trail.