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Backpacker Magazine – August 2008
Top 3 Fire Tower Hikes
Want a backcountry room with a view? Climb these lookouts from Vermont to Washington.
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Tags:
- Weekends |
- Adventures |
- Washington |
- Vermont |
- Montana |
Once the domain of solitary smoke spotters–and, famously, authors such as Ed Abbey–many fire towers are now open to the public. There are 557 on the National Historic Lookout Register. Climb to one of these three for panoramic vistas and plenty of writerly inspiration.
McCart Mountain, MT
Make it a first date
Nothing says romance like a cozy wilderness cabin on stilts with a wraparound catwalk, views of the sprawling Bitterroot Range, and a front-row seat for August's blazing Perseid meteor shower. You'll have someone special seeing stars at the McCart Mountain Lookout. Perched at 7,115 feet, it's furnished with a propane stove, dishes, a wood stove, bed for two, and an outhouse. Best of all, the walk up Johnson Peak Trail, two hours south of Missoula, is an easy 1.5 miles, which means there's no excuse not to pack in wine and treats. Open from mid-May to October; make reservations up to six months in advance ($30; recreation.gov). Call the Sula Ranger District a week before your trip for the lock combo. (406) 821-3201
After the Fire
Hoist a crisp Sawtooth blonde ale and a few Alaskan halibut tacos at Bitterroot Brewing in Hamilton. bitterrootbrewing.com
The Way
From Missoula, go south on US 93 for 69 miles to Sula. Drive 17 miles east on East Fork Rd. to Johnson Peak Rd. and go 5.5 miles south to Johnson Peak trailhead.
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READERS COMMENTS
I would advise "Not" going to Gastenbury mountain in Vermont.There is travel brochures that state that" It's not a good idea." Many people 8-74 yrs old, have dissapeared from this mountain with no trace (NONE) ..please research this mountain before possibly putting yourself in jeopardy. There is a vast history of this place and it is no good. Stay Away.(please)Stay away*
Posted: Mar 23, 2011 VT.
The Washington fire lookouts have about twelve or more feet of snow covering them, so you will wait until very late this year before you go there. Just call the Ranger District Office in advance to check out accessibility or availability. And carry your own water, keep your program simple, and leave no trace! And you need not worry about the Teddy Bears or Pussy Cats when you are in the cabin-like enclosures! Have fun; be safe!
Posted: Mar 19, 2011 Friend of Scouting
The Needles fire look out in the southern Sierras tops 'em all!
Posted: Mar 18, 2011 Kim
It seems like all fire lookouts are worth whatever climb it takes to get there. My favorite by a long shot is the lookout on top of the Sierra Buttes in N. California. Surounded by thousand foot or better cliffs, a freaky stairway just to get to the lookout, vista of lakes and Mt. Lassen, all in about half a day. An incredible place.
Posted: Mar 17, 2011 Rod
been to this lookout when we thru-hiked the AT. the view is phenomenal on a clear day. Especially off to the west into new york.
As for the NC/TN ones being accessible.. the less accessible the better! I'm also a fan of the lookout on Smart Mountain in new Hampshire. You can see the green mnt to the west really well and you can see Moosilauke (one of my favorites) and the whites to the east.
Though most eastern lookouts got nothing on what we have in Oregon and Washington.. some real beauties out here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/recreation/rentals/des-green-ridge-lo-pictures.shtml
Posted: Mar 17, 2011 mio West
The fire tower on North Kearsage outside of North Conway has great views of Carter Notch and the rockpile--Mt. Washington --with its wild weather and great ravines.
Posted: Mar 17, 2011 Mainehiker
Mmmm... the Green Mountains of VT that turn gray (or totally disappear) with the summer haze. Gile Mtn tower in Norwich is a nice hike, but I'll have to attempt this one.
Posted: Mar 17, 2011 Kerrie
All right these are good, but most firetowers in TN and NC which are still standing have much better views of the surrounding valleys. Plus most are very accessible. Especially the two on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Though you are not allowed to camp in them you can camp at the bottom.
Posted: Sep 11, 2008 UT_Dutchman
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