Crater Mountain East Lookout Site
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In 1955 the lookout observer, Tommy Buller removed the firefinder from the Crater Mountain summit lookout building and carried it down to this new Crater Lookout on the East peak 1 mile to the east. This lookout was much easier to reach and get supplies to.
In 1968, the newer site was abandoned.
In 1973, the newer lookout was burned.
Lookout Elevation: 7,054 feet
Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles one-way
Elevation Gain 5,100 feet
Access: Paved Parking
Crater Mountain East Lookout in the 1950s.
Crater Mountain Lookout burning in 1973
Crater Mountain from the North
Lookout Site
Footing
Footing (concrete with local rocks)
Looking north from the lookout site
The easy to walk up hill to the northeast is higher than the lookout site
Looking East and South. The lookout site is on the far right on the ridge.
The lookout site and view to the SW
Forest fire smoke rolling in from the southwest
Crater Mountain on left, Jack Mountain on right
Jack Mountain from the lookout site
Nearing the summit with Devils Park and Jackita Ridge peaks in the distance
Access and route:
Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead, east of Ross Lake on Highway 20. In the first quarter mile, the trail crosses Granite Creek on a bridge, then to Canyon Creek that must be forded (late season is the only safe option). Earlier in the season, you will have to start 3 miles west off the highway at the East Bank Trailhead. Once over the river, the trail heads toward McMillan Park. See map for trails. Trail splits are not marked in the field.
Crater Mountain around 1964
(Darvill collection)
Crater Mountain around 1964 (Darvill collection)