Crow Hill Lookout Camp

Pack trains departed from the Big Hill Lookout on the 10 mile trail to Pyramid Mountain. Between the two sites is a high prominent mountain called Crow Hill. Atop this peak are the well preserved remains of a lookout camp. The tent location just feet below the summit is still flat and ready to be camped on and the rock wall stone work is somewhat intact. Fragments of the shelter and camp are strewn about. If I had to guess, the camp was used if a late spring snow prevented pack trains from getting to Pyramid.

In the late 1930s, David Hale was the lookout on Pyramid Mountain. During his long career with the Forest Service, he was involved in bridge and trail building, and fire fighting. While serving as lookout on Pyramid Peak, he even prepared homemade pie and ice cream for the sheep herders, in addition to his official duties. He retired from the Forest Service in 1972. Following his retirement, he enjoyed backpacking the high country, fishing and bow-hunting. In 1990, he visited the Crow Hill camp with some kids. He took their photo on the camp debris and gave this picture to Ray Kresek for the museum records, labeling it Crow Hill Lookout 1990. David Hale passed away in 2006 in Chelan at age 91.

It appears the image and location was never investigated. As of 2023, Crow Hill was not on any list or in any book. It will now be added to the Lookout Inventory thanks to the image provided by David Hale revealing this unknown piece of history in his lifelong stomping grounds.

Drive up the Entiat River Road from the town of Entiat, just past Box Canyon, turn right and drive up to Shady Pas, taking a left and going to the end of the road and trailhead. The road conditions often change but although steep, this gravel and dirt road has been good enough for passenger cars with just a few bumpy spots near the end.