Driveway Butte Lookout Site

Driveway Butte is an old cattle or sheep drive-way, hence the name. The history points to something on the summit prior to 1931. Maps in 1931 show the lookout and drive-way trail. We do know in 1931, there was a unique slant-walled cupola cabin. In July of 1931, a Wenatchee paper said that another lookout tower and house at Driveway butte was being built by Ed Allen and Raymond Johnson.

In 1932, the lookout was Bob Watkins.

In 1933, a Wenatchee paper reported “Don Watkins, ranger at Driveway Butte lookout, is busy with the interior decorating of his tower house. Bundles of eight-foot flooring, each weighing 108 pounds were packed up to the station by Gene Albin. This lumber has been used for lining the walls.”

In 1934, panoramic images were taken from 43 feet above the ground. 23+20

In 1953, both structures were destroyed.

Story from Fire Lookouts of the Northwest book:
After a month of solitary confinement in Driveway’s slant-walled cell, Keith Patterson woke up one night, saw the telephone bells glowing in the moonlight, and blasted the “bear” right between the eyes with both barrels of his 12-gauge shotgun.

Lookout Elevation:
Hiking Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Access: Any vehicle

Looking Southeast 1934

Looking Southwest 1934

Supplement Looking North 1934

from point on left in picture above

Driveway Butte Lookout in 1938

Driveway Butte Groundhouse 1952

1934 Metsker showing Driveway Butte Guard Station

1931 Chelan National Forest map

1938 Chelan National Forest map

The trail. The burn area starts at the 5,000 foot flats.

From Highway 20, East of Mazama, turn off the highway at the signed Klipchuck Campground. Follow road to the campground and the signed trailhead parking is on the right. Just follow the trail to the summit. The southern slopes will melt out early while snow will linger in the McGee Creek area. New growth after a recent fire could make things brushy in the coming years.

Looking Southeast 2021

An official trailhead

Turn right here, a minute into the trail

Looking up Early Winters Creek Valley and the North Cascades Highway

North Gardner Mountain

Looking west from the summit

Looking southwest from the summit

Looking south from the summit with Silver Star poking above the ridge

Burned forest along the route

Two footings from the tower

Part of the cupola is still there

Nails from the cupola