Stiletto Ridge Lookout Site

In 1930, this lookout seems to be a big deal. Here are three excellent stories from the Wenatchee Daily World newspaper in 1930. On July 2, 1930, “Kenneth Carmody will leave for his station on Stilleto Peak at the head of Bridge creek this week.” On July 16, “Forest Guard Carmody left today for Bridge Creek where he will use pack train to Stilletto Peak. He will be stationed there the entire summer. Like McGregor Station this is off the beaten trail and is only visited by occasional mountain climbers, and rangers of the service on inspection.” Finally, on July 25, “Ranger R. Weeman leaves tomorrow for Lake Ann and Stilletto Peak lookout station on his tour of inspection.”

In 1931, the Stiletto Ridge Lookout was said to be built (although it was probably built a few years prior given the articles in 1930). It was a gabled L-4 cab located at the west end of a spur ridge of Stiletto Peak, inside North Cascades National Park.

In 1934, panorama photos were taken from the roof.

In 1952, it is believed the lookout was burned.

In Ray Kreseks book, he shares his family experience being at the lookout site in 1972 when the state Governor and a parade of cars crossed the new North Cascades Highway for the first time. They were not too happy about it. He also says the lookout would have had a nice water supply across a meadow, not having to hike downhill for it, which is rare with lookouts.