Jumbo Mountain Lookout Site Darrington

The Jumbo Mountain Lookout site might be the hardest to reach of all the former lookouts in Washington. It was just a camp with platform tower and the number of years used is unknown. According to history buffs in Darrington, the Gold Mountain lookout camp was the first to be used in the Darrington District, in 1915. The following year, the lookout camp was moved over to Jumbo Mountain, specifically the north summit. There is no simple way to reach the summit although miners trails skirted up the northern ridges of the mountain about halfway. It is unclear how the early observers got up, likely from the east side. The first lookout man was Rowland Atchson, who was also the first lookout man on Gold Hill in 1915.

There is a picture (shown below), of the camp in 1916. Likely used for just a year or two, this lookout site has been abandoned for over 100 years. The Kresek inventory does list the camp at 5,806. Based on trees, rocks and topography, the North summit indeed looks correct for the site. Although I was expecting more evidence, there were faint signs of a trail in the summit rocks as well as some rock work. No relics were found. I was hoping for a nail or some tin cans. More to come if found.

Elevation: 5,801 feet
Distance: Hard to determine
Elevation Gain: 5,000 feet
Road Access: Fair gravel road

Upper Mountain Access

From the standard route up Jumbo, as you approach the saddle between the North and South Peaks, there is a minor rock ridge between the North and South peak. This creates two saddles between the North and South Peaks. You must climb up to the Northern saddle instead of the Southern saddle which accesses the highpoint. At the Northern saddle (quite steep at the end), a short section of class 4 rock will get you to easy terrain on the east side of the North Peak, making for an easy walk up at that point.

The North Summit of Jumbo Mountain

Jumbo Mountain was named by Knute Nesta.

At one time, I thought the lookout might be at a lower point on the north ridge. There is still one point left unchecked at 4,900 feet.

1930s USGS map showing trails up the north ridge

Photo labeled Jumbo Mountain Lookout Station, August 17, 1916

The same area (we think) in July, 2021

Sticks wedged into the summit rocks

Comparison of blotches on the summit rocks

Looking south at the main Jumbo summit and the south peak

The North Peak. Showing route to the notch from the main climbing route.

Comparison of summit rocks

What seems to be remaining rock work at the summit

From the bench, looking down at the 4,900 (unchecked) point.

Just about 150 feet down on the East side from the North summit is a large flat bench we also checked. The picture above and below are from this bench.

North summit bench from Darrington

Paul on the north summit

Upper mountain of Jumbo

This article is from the Everett Herald on Monday August 21, 1916.

A 1916 newspaper article is attached at the bottom of the page. Sounds like they may have had a phone line to the summit.