Fire Lookouts, an Introduction

Jumpoff Lookout, Yakima County, WA

With photography by Jo. N. Miles and Matt Dahlgreen

Fire Lookout stations once blanketed the Forest Landscape throughout the US.  These stations, placed at sterling observation sites, were used for early detection of forest fires but the "lookout" performed a number of other functions such as radio contact, weather recording, public information, and occasionally were called on to abandon the station and put out a near-by fire.  

I worked on this lookout from 1969 to 1973, with some "relief" work after that.  This station, named appropriately, Jumpoff Lookout, is located on a huge cliff at the east end of the Tieton Basin, with views to the north and up and down the Tieton Basin.  This station hasn't been "staffed" for some time, and though it looks like it's in good shape, you'll see from the next picture, it is suffering from hard wear and vandalism.

Here you can see that some shutters have been destroyed, the cat walk is a bit challenged, and windows are missing.  Jo Miles and I repaired the roof in 2010 and replaced a number of shutters last summer. The most damaging force, other than human vandalism, is the winter weather.  Snow finds cracks in the side, and then melts in the spring, adding to floor rot.  We hope to eventually stabilize this old relic, the last fire lookout in Yakima County, and bring it back as a working lookout.  

Other lookouts in the Washington Cascades includes the one that Jack Kerouac worked in and wrote his book "Desolation Angels" about.  Desolation Lookout is north of the North Cascades Highway, on the east shore of Ross Lake.   Kristin and I Climbed it with Matt and Lisa Dahlgreen and a year later Mike Cochran and I returned with our guide and climbing inspiration, Clare Cochran.   Here are some pictures to give you some idea of what Kerouac saw from his lonely perch. 

First you must depart the Ross Lake Resort in one of their vintage wood motor boats, this is old #1.  After a 1 1/2 hour boat ride you tie up at a little trailhead and start the 5 hour hike to the top.  

As you approach the lookout you are met with amazing views of Mt Hoozamen to the north.  This photo was taken in October, notice the snow is already starting to accumulate.  And, the lookout is shuttered fore the winter.  The nameless Bum-wannabe posing by the station is part of the deal when you get to the lookout. 

And this is what Kerouac saw as he looked back down the lake toward the south. 

I wanted to get a photo of a lookout working but Jack was gone the day we were there.  My cat posed for this photo to demonstrate what lookouts do all day. She has lots of practice 

Another fine old lookout is "Red Top" on Swak Pass.  Mike Cochran worked here for a summer and Ardus Bynum was also one of the many famous lookouts to put in time on this station.  Kristin and I have worked here as Volunteers for a couple of summers and we plan to put in some time this summer, Lookout Gods willing!

Lookouts watch for fires, work the radio, clean the lookout, greet visitors, and other jobs.  Here I am trying to find a fire in the Teanaway.  The far hills is Manashtash ridge and if you look closely at night you might see headlights from Highway 90 between Ellensburg and Cle Elum, WA. 

This is an evening shot, I must be reading or some such?? Opps, a lookout isn't supposed to "junk up" the fire finder" with coffee cups and plates.  You can see our "Kitchen", thats the little shelf with the red and white checkered oil cloth top. 

Here are the two glass insulating stools at Red Top.  They are made from phone insulators and protect the lookout in the event of a lightening storm.  I am making a stool for Jumpoff so keep tuned for that project. 

Kristin has a lot of potential as a fire lookout, as you can see below.  She reads well, enjoys the views, is helpful to visitors, and has a funky hat.  Now, if she could just find a good cup to drink coffee out of. 

Another lookout we have a strong connection to is Gary Snyder's "Sour Dough" Lookout, on Sour Dough Ridge, west of Ross Lake.  We made several attempts on this lookout before we finally got to the top, as it's a long day of hiking, even with a "water taxi" ride to the trailhead.   Last fall we climbed this with Matt and Lisa Dahlgreen.  Matt's positive outlook and general leadership skills made this hike a lot easier.  Thanks Matt!  Here is the station as you approach it from the lake side. 

And this is a close-up.  Maintenance crews are rebuilding the station and doing a bang up job.  Wonder how I can talk them into coming down and working on Jumpoff?  

This photo was taken in October so the station is closed for the season.  From this point you can see Desolation Lookout on up the lake.  

Well, if you are interested in visiting a lookout I'd suggest Jumpoff Lookout.  It is directly adjacent to the new William O. Douglas trail.  You can drive there in a 4x4 (enter from Wendy Point on road 1302: July - October 15 annually)  or hike in from Long Lake or Jumpoff Meadow.  Kristin and I hiked in from the east, walking up to Jumpoff Pass and then taking the old phone line trail on up to the lookout.  Jo and I fixed those broken windows a few weeks later. 

We are now back where we started, looking at Jumpoff Lookout near where the William O. Douglas Trail heads into the Tieton Basin.  Kristin and I wish everyone a happy new year and a great 2012

I am building a Lookout "Lightening insulation stool" for Jumpoff and I'll have a posting on that project as soon I get four, 1 3/16 holes drilled to install the insulator legs.  Watch for that posting in a month or so.  Also, if anyone wants directions to Jumpoff, let me know and I'll be glad to do a posting on that also.

I wish to thank Jo N. Miles for photo related to Jumpoff Lookout, Matt Dahlgreen for photos related to Sour Dough and Desolation Lookouts, and Kristin Hiler for photos related to Red Top Lookout.