Mt. Zion Panoramic Site
This site had panoramics taken on July 1, 1934. It is highly likely the site was used as a emergency lookout during high fire danger periods. In addition to the three standard photos taken, we have 2 supplemental photos from a few feet away. It seems this location was once a public observation area. The cut decorative observation rock wall visible in the photos is similar to others found in the Gorge at observation areas. Today those same walls are standing but public access is gone and the communication towers are placed where the old viewing area was. Mt. Zion on maps today is called Biddle Butte. Others call it Mt. Pleasant. If the name sounds familiar, there was a Mt. Zion lookout in the NE corner of the Olympic Mountains as well.
WillhiteWeb.com: Washington Fire Lookouts
Elevation: 1,467 feet
Access: Private Property
County: Skamania County
Access
There is no public access and the only access crosses private property. There is a gate in route once past the private property. A few people have reported walking the road, I would guess they were parked at the Cape Horn Trailhead.
Looking North July 1, 1934
Notice the rock walls in the picture above and the 2 north facing pictures below (this picture was taken December 2019)
Also looking North July 1, 1934
Supplemental shot from several feet back, note his camera bag still next to the rocks where he took the shot above.
The rock wall continues around the next corner
Looking Southeast July 1, 1934
Looking Southeast Supplement July 1, 1934
Looking Southwest July 1, 1934
Biddle Butte/Mt. Zion from the Cape Horn Trail near the upper trailhead.
Stairs up to the viewing area
Viewpoint cut stones from below