The Foothills Firefinder Site

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Located just up the hill from the Hurricane Ridge entrance to Olympic National Park, this firefinder lookout location has a long but mysterious history. Before there was an entrance pay station, the Ennis Ranger Station was located near today's entrance. Although never shown on maps, a trail leads from the entrance area up to the lookout site. One can imagine the ranger during high fire danger hiking the trail up to the firefinder to survey the north end of the park. We have panoramic photos from the site in 1935 during the Osborne Photo Survey. The hillside it was located on had been heavily burned.

Olympics Lookouts

The Foothills has a 6.5 mile trail system on State Land providing good riding for novice trailbikers and family groups. Two shortcut trails divide the main loop into three smaller loops. This trail is also popular with local horse riders, so ride aware. The trails are open all year weather permitting. I would guess the trails I drew above in blue connect with the official Foothills trail system. I do know they loop at some point.

Access:

Drive to Port Angeles and follow signs to Hurricane Ridge. Just before the entrance, and just before the turn for Lake Dawn, the road is very wide with parallel parking on both sides. The trail leaves from here.

Lookout Elevation 2,200 feet
Hiking Distance: 0.5 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 450
Road Access: Paved

Route:

Finding the trail is difficult. The first 200 feet into the woods was not well established. It starts left of a clump of alder trees. Once on the trail, it gently climbs the open forest until a Y intersection (which I believe is a large loop). Go right climbing switchbacks up to below the lookout knob, then arriving on top. My gut says this trail is maintained by the homeowners at Lake Dawn.

Southeast June 20, 1935

Southwest June 20, 1935

North June 20, 1935

Southeast January 1, 2016

Southwest January 1, 2016

North January 1, 2016

On the left side of the panoramic pictures from 1935 you will see a +4, which means the photo was taken 4 feet above ground. This firefighter stand is 4 feet tall.

Rocky Peak

From below

Very solid in ground

This mirror was on a tree at the lookout site

The trail traversing below the lookout site

Someone put this bar up no so long ago

New Years Day crowd at the trailhead. Cars parked on both sides of road and the long line to the entrance gate.

Map showing the Ennis Creek Ranger Station in the 30s and 40s

Foothills Lookout Visibility map, 1936

1936 Foothills (Panoramic View) evaluation

In summer (Klenke photo)