Galena Guard Station Lookout

We know little about the Galena Lookout. Kresek has the station established by 1931 with an L-4 cab. Panoramic images taken of the view in 1934 are at 17 feet above ground, the normal height on the roof of the cab plus tripod height. Images also show the phone line, flagpole, weather station and outhouse. AWS documents discuss the lookout in 1943. While being used as an Aircraft Warning Station, sleeping quarters for the observers were added with AWS funds. In 1950, the cab was reported to have been moved to Maloney Ridge. Based on evidence found during our site visit in March 2018, no road went to the lookout site although there is one about 60 vertical feed below. A wide trail seems to have switchbacked down to the road. It is possible the structure could have been helicoptered out or dismantled and then reassembled at Maloney Ridge, it wasn't clear.

Elevation: 1,172 feet
Distance: Very short after road is repaired
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Access: Paved (when access is re-established)

The GPS coordinates for the location are given below but if not using one, you will want to leave the Index-Galena Road just before you reach a large pile of boulders on the left side of the road. Beyond the boulders is a cliff on the right. Well before the boulders, you will notice a spur road taking off to the right and paralleling the main road about 40 feet above it. From the main road, you will need to climb up the forest 80 verticle feet or so to the lookout site, which can be difficult to spot until you are there.

Above AWS document on June 16, 1943

About ten days ago I was at Galena and the limited view was quite apparent. Across the river in Sec. 19, T. 28N, R11E we have made a timber sale in between some mining claims. This covers the top of a hill which is on a bench and which does not show on a topographic map. In our marking plans, we left the timber for seed purposes on the top of the hill. The logger has built a steep but usable road to within about 600 feet of the top of the hill. He is in a position to fall the remaining timber and it is believed that his tractor could be secured to open the road to the top of the hill.

I made a rough sketch of the seen area and would be glad to know whether you think there would be enough justification to build a new station which would be required. Portable buildings are available at Naches but it would be quite a long haul to get them to the site. If these portable buildings could not be used, a satisfactory building could perhaps be built for $600 or $800. It is believed the road could be finished the rest of the way for $200, which would make the total cost for the change about $1200, since a telephone line would have to be built up the hill about a mile.

Unless the decision is reached to make a change within the next few days while the logger is on the area, the figures would have to be raised considerably because it would cost more to fall the timber and it would be necessary to move the tractor from a considerable distance.

Galena Lookout shown on the 1936 recreation map

Showing the area of lookout site that needs to be explored (I have poked around the 1,000 to 1,100 foot level) Probably need to go to 1,200 feet

Lookout site on this US Army aerial photo from the 1940s

Shown on the 1941 Skykomish Ranger District Map

AWS map showing Galena

Galena with some dates August 29, 1942 to October 7, 1943

Looking North, August 4, 1934

Looking Southwest, August 4, 1934

Index Galena Road Washout of 2007-2008 (Taken Dec 2017) South washout

Index Galena Road north washout segment

Galena, existing station - reconditioned, to retain

AWS used phone line to Sultan from the station