Three Corner Rock Lookout Site

The first definitive evidence we have of a lookout at Three Corner Rock was when on July 10, 1934, panoramics were taken from the summit. The images say the camera was only 2 feet and then 4 feet above the ground. A few posts and wire can also be seen in the images. Down below, a living quarters cabin is visible. The summit appears to have been just the viewing post. The lookout inventory suggests a 2-story L-4 cab built several years later in 1938. Whatever cab was built, it was not used as the living quarters. During an interview in the 1990s, Gene Sargent (the lookout at nearby Greenleaf Lookout in 1948) says he became friends with the 3 Corner Rock lookout that summer. His name was Kit Carson McCoy. Gene says one day he hiked over to 3 Corner Rock to stay the night there with Kit. Gene says the lookout was just used for the day, at night there was a small living quarters cabin down below, and that is where they slept. This is partly confirmed in the 1934 panoramics where a cabin can be seen down below.

In February 1942, the Forest Service notified the State DNR that they were abandoning Greenleaf and Three Corner Rock lookout houses. The state quickly responded that they would rehabilitate both and include them in their protective system of lookouts. The letter continued saying it was DNR policy to own land upon which their lookouts are situated and they had already acquired the land for Three Corner Rock. Plans were set in motion for the State to procure title for Greenleaf.

In July of 1942, a letter discussing the possibility of Three Corner Rock being used for the AWS mentions that the lookout used a telephone hook-up with the Hemlock Guard Station at Hemlock. From there the fires are reported by Hemlock to Yacolt.

In 1955 a new 14 foot by 14-foot ground cabin was constructed by the Division of Forestry. It was “constructed of plywood and glass with an aluminum roof which overhangs the building to act as a sun shade."

On August 18, 1969, The Oregonian reported that Three Corner Rock was one of five lookouts on the district to be discontinued because of the use of air patrols, and it would most likely be burned. Apparently, this didn’t happen because in 1974, an identical DNR cab, with a little help from a helicopter, was constructed on the precipice at Three Corner Rock. This last cab was sold and removed by Dick Morrison in 1982 and placed on his house in Friday Harbor.

WillhiteWeb.com: Washington Fire Lookouts

At least 4 ways are possible, including a driving route if gates are open. The driving route would be from Mabee Mines Road & Salmon Falls Road. The PCT passes right by with just a short spur trail climbing up a few hundred feet. The best hiking option would be the highest road hitting the PCT from the north. The Red Bluff Road is a State DNR road that will take you to a high PCT crossing north of Three Corner Rock. You can also climb the long Three Corner Rock Trail from the west, a gain of 3,000 feet over 10 miles. Another long option is to hike from the Columbia River Gorge Bonneville Trailhead using the PCT.

Elevation 3,550 feet
Hiking Distance: 2 miles (although many options exist)
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet (although many options exist)
County: Skamania County

Looking Southwest July 10, 1934

Looking North July 10, 1934

Looking Southeast July 10, 1934

Nice comparison someone made online

Photo by Jim Ebacher

Considered using for AWS

Photo from someone online. Looks over to the communication tower and Hood.

Photo by Brian Jenkins

Tammy Mcleod photo of the current location of Three Corner Rock Lookout

Photo from the lookout museum collection

Water trough is just down the hill from the lookout

Trail sign on the PCT to go up to Three Corner Rock

Junction on the PCT to go up to the lookout site

The rock pile with snow at the end of December 2019

Rock steps leading to the site

1937 Recreation Map showing Three Corner Rock Lookout

Footing of the lookout

Some phone line near the summit

1940 Columbia National Forest map

From the Fred McKay collection, he was a ranger at the Washougal Ranger Station in 1935, located near the old trailhead for Three Corner Rock. In the 1934 panoramic images, the snags had not been felled. In this image, the snags are down. This shows the original structure at the summit.

This is from a July 1, 1942 list of State lookouts. Shows Three Cornered Rock as a ground house.