Bead Lake Peak Lookout Site
Bead Lake Peak Patrol Tower Site
In 1931, a 20-foot pole tower with an L-4 cab was built.
In 1941, the Forest Service surveyed a six-mile road from Bead Lake Pass to Bead Lake Lookout. Plans were made to try and get the road built that year.
In the 1960s, the lookout was destroyed.
There was also a platform patrol tower 1/2 mile south on the same ridge at the 8 foot higher point 4,838. No remnants have been found at the south patrol point.
Two miles to the north is Mosquito Point, said to be another patrol point for Bead Lake Peak. With Mosquito Point, there are footings and anchors so it appears to have been a full observation tower of some kind.
WillhiteWeb.com
Elevation: 4,838 feet, lookout elevation is 4,830 feet
Hiking Distance: One mile each way
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Prominence: 1,198 feet
Access: Most vehicles can make it but some clearance best
Bead Lake Peak Lookout 1933
Lookout History
The old one mile spur road to the summit is overgrown but still good enough in 2023. It could be brushed out easily but likely will just get worse. In time, avoiding the road and just taking the ridge will become easier. The lookout location should stay open for quite some time. The patrol point to the south is brushy and any relics could easily be under the dense brush.
Route and Site Information
Really brushy in the area of the patrol point
Summit area
Lookout site in 2023
Lookout site and summit
Footing on its side
Upside down footing
Bead Lake sunset from road on Bead Peak