Pleasant Valley Lookout

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You would never know standing today at the Pleasant Valley Lookout location that there was once a tower and storage building. All that really remains is a large flat opening in the forest, similar to a logging landing. Surrounding the spot is a nice stand of second growth timber. The lookout was on the edge of a 70 foot cliff, now hidden from the valley by 100 foot trees. The only information I have about the site is from photos taken in 1934. We also have the panoramic images from the Stahl Peak lookout looking down on the Pleasant Valley Lookout. A bit of the lookout was found during my 2014 visit but most of it had been removed. On a hunch, I checked the base of the cliff below the lookout but found little evidence of pieces being chucked over the cliff by 80 years of possible vandalism. To reach the site by legal access, an enjoyable hike on state & federal land is required.
Since my visit, several friend have visited the site and uncovered more footings and anchor bolts.

From Elbe, drive south a few miles to a right turn on the Pleasant Valley Road. Follow it to the end where a minor forest road veers left. In a short distance is two locked gates. To the right is Tacoma Water property with a bunch of signs saying No Trespassing. To the left is a gate where Forest Service Road 74 once accessed the Little Nisqually area. It has washed out in places and hasn't been open in several years. Park allowing access to gates. If signs indicate no parking near the gates, go back and park on the Pleasant Valley Road.

Access

Elevation: 1,675 feet
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Road Access: Paved

Former Lookouts

Just past the gate the road crosses a creek and traverses along Alder Lake. Within 10 minutes is a road branching left. Take this road, climbing over occasional fallen trees. After climbing a few hundred vertical feet, the road forks. Take the left one. A decent hiker/hunter trail exists, noticeable when crossing water berms and washout areas. After a while, the trail opens up on the left where you hit a fence line and parallels private property. Next the old road enters a nice second growth stand for the remainder of the trip. Hike until you cross the next major stream crossing (avoiding one uphill split and one downhill split). Directionally challenged will have trouble here. Once across the creek, the trail is dropping, you come to a steep hillside and might even pass right below the cliff where the lookout is high above. An old road does switchback up the creek to reach the lookout, or you can climb straight up on either side of the cliffy area.

Route

Same view North - 2014

Looking North - 1934

Looking Southeast - 1934

Looking Southwest - 1934

Same view Southeast - 2014

Same Southwest - 2014

Mount Rainier & Mt. Wow

Below the lookout looking up the cliff

From the fence line looking out over Pleasant Valley to Mt. Rainier

This is directly below the lookout, on the old road looking up to the cliff

Phone line found of the former lookout

Nails and a board

Area from the Pleasant Valley Road

The old lookout road just before it reaches the lookout site

Trailhead at the old Forest Service Road 74 gate

Ok trails get around these washouts

Pleasant Valley Lookout from Stahl Peak Lookout

Eyebolt

1962 Metsker Map

Footing under moss

This location was considered for an AWS site but it was decided there were better locations. Ended up at National L.O.

Footing under moss

There are future plans to timber harvest this area during the Flashback Timber Sale. The DNR is now aware of the cultural significance of the area and will keep an eye out to record anything found. Maybe they will open up the views again.

Future Use