Big Butte Lookout - Asotin County

Located at the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains, Big Butte is but a simple indistinct summit. In fact, without the lookout tower, the summit is viewless among the tall trees. But for lookout enthusiasts, the idea of a lookout structure still intact keeps them visiting. Depending on when you are reading this, there may or may not be a tower. At this time, the tower is disassembled with the cab resting on the ground. Plans are to fix it up and reassemble it, possibly making the tower part of the recreational rental program.

Many routes possible but you will need a map. If coming from the West on the high road past Clearwater Lookout, just keep going east on the ridge, passing the Wenatchee Guard Station. Decent roads will eventually get you to the final spur road which goes 0.4 miles up to the gate. Access routes from Anatone on Mountain Road are also reported to be well maintained enough for passenger cars.

Ranger Grover C. Blake (who helped build the original lookout) wrote the following: Figuring out a way to overcome handicaps became a way of life in the activities of early Forest Service personnel. I remember one instance where we were able to develop a lookout on a point having a commanding view of a large area of our protection unit after many frustrations. After serving as Ranger for 15 years on the Ochoco and several years on the Malheur...I was transferred to the Umatilla N.F. and to a District which lacked an adequate detection system. There were several guard stations manned by firemen who did patrol duty on horseback and visited points of observation to look for fires along their patrol route, but there were no established lookout stations. The point that seemed to me to be ideal for lookout purpose was known as Big Butte. The Supervisor felt this butte was not for us since it was on private land and outside the National Forest. I never liked to give up without a try so I went to the county seat and learned that the land belonged to Frank Farrish of Farrish Lumber Company. I then went to see Mr. Farrish and placed our problem before him. He was more than willing to cooperate and said they would gladly donate the land needed. In due time I surveyed out the land and got a legal description of five acres and the land was deeded to the United States. Our troubles were not ended though. We learned that the taxes were several years in arrears and would have to be paid before Uncle Sam would have a clear title. I went again to the county seat and explained our troubles to the assessor and county clerk. They agreed to forgive the taxes on the five acres and clear the title. Then we learned that Uncle Sam would not accept a gift but could buy the land. A check was sent to Farrish Lumber Company good for one dollar in cash and the deal was closed and the top of Big Butte belonged to the United States.

In 1927, a telephone line was built from the Wenatchee Guard Station to Big Butte.

In 1929, a 80-foot native timber tower with 7 x 7 cab was erected. (From a Umatilla National Forest inventory)

July 16, 1929: A plan is on foot to construct a lookout tower on Big Butte near Anatone as soon as an abstract of title satisfactory to the government can be obtained. The site for the proposed tower has been donated by the Blue Mountain Lumber and Manufacturing company of Asotin. Big Butte is the best location for lookout purposes in Asotin county. It commands an excellent view of the larger portion of the district. (Lewiston Morning Tribune)

Lester Moncrief (Assistant Supervisor), John Clouston (Fire Assistant) and Ranger Grover Blake built the tower. The tower was built of poles and was about 70 feet high.

In September 1929 just after construction, "After three days on the lonesome lookout of Anatone Butte, the lookout man became ill. He was taken to a doctor and returned to the job ten days later. One day on the lookout and he became ill again and had to be replaced. There were reports to the effect that the illness was caused by goblins who came in the nighttime and made frightful noises about the weird and lonesome lookout station. G.C. Blake" (Six Twenty-Six)

In 1930, the Big Butte house was built by Ross Kind, a Carpenter.

In 1950, an 82-foot timber tower with an L-4 cab was constructed.

In 2010, a tree fell across a guy wire, damaging one of the tower legs.

In 2013, the cab was lowered to the ground after standing nearly three years with a broken leg. After being unable to get a large crane to the lookout site due to poor weather conditions the previous day, the contractor, DSL Builders, was able to get their large crane to the lookout with the help of the county motor grader and a rented dozer. At around 5 PM that day, the cab was set on the ground just west of the tower. The next day, the contractor began the process of disassembling the damaged tower.

In 2014, a large work party got together to rehab the L-4 cab. The railings and the entire catwalk were removed, new stringers were installed and the catwalk replaced. Shutter supports were removed and new ones prepped. Lower halves of the shutters were removed and repainted with new hardware added. The project was finished and the cab was ready for placement back on a tower. The hope was to place the cab on a tower anywhere between 20 feet and the original 82 feet.

In 2015, with the help of a grant, several volunteers put a second coat of paint for the exterior and interior and work on the interior furnishings were accomplished.

From the gate, just walk the road up to the top.