Lookout Mountain Lookout

For such a short hike, Lookout Mountain has a big payoff with big views and an old lookout tower.

From Highway 20 in Twisp, take Second Avenue/Twisp River Road. After 0.2 miles, veer left onto May Street immediately looking for Lookout Mountain Road at the same turn as May Street. Go 6.2 miles to a large parking area at road end (no signs). There is a seasonal gate 1.3 miles before the road ends, closing in October I think.

The trail starts as a Jeep trail but quickly turns into a regular trail. Follow it to the summit.

In 1911, the Quad City Herald said that Guard Hart had been stationed on Lookout Mountain, taking the place of a Mr. Harrison who tendered his resignation.

In 1913, a log cabin was built by MacCowan. (Observation platform on the roof in 1922).

In 1920, Forest Supervisor P. T. Harris appointed Colin Heath as the lookout.

In 1922 an article in Six Twenty-Six said "By planning the best use of temporary mens time it was possible to construct a standard lookout tower on the top of a good log cabin on Lookout Mountain. Another window will be added to the cabin and it will then have a window on each side and end. The tower is standard and affords an excellent view for the lookout. The approximate cost of material, packing, and construction is $165.00. The project was financed from a balance on the allotment for a standard house on Muckamuck Mountain. We found that the material list for a standard house is about one bunch of shingles short and that the roofing paper must be very carefully laid out if it will cover the surface required."

In August 1925: "Here is chronicled one instance where a burning pipe-heel did cause a fire. A sheepherder on Buttermilk Creek went into a willow thicket to cut a pole. While running around in the thicket he knocked his pipe from his mouth, spilling the burning tobacco. This was about 10 a.m. Beals, on Lookout Mountain, reported a fire between the forks of Buttermilk. When Frank Grays trail crew arrived 1 1/4 hours later, they found an 8-acre fire. The sheepherder admitted having been the cause of it. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken. Prompt action by Grays trail crew, in telephone communication with ranger and dispatcher, kept this from being a nasty C fire. H.P." (Six Twenty-Six)

In 1928, plans were being made to build a 14 x 14 foot lookout, packing the lumber up the mountain in the fall.

In 1930, Mike Moran of Republic was constructing a new lookout building between fire work during August.

In 1930, panorama photos were taken by W.B. Osborne in October.

In 1932, the lookout received a short wave radio set to test. Court McCain was the lookout.

In 1935, the lookout was Clarence Utech. He spent the summer as a lookout with his new bride, Miss Gladys McDowell.

In 1937, the present 25-foot timber tower with L-4 cab was built by Gus Nelson.

In 1943 during WWII, the location was used by the AWS. Activated: March 12, 1943; Deactivated: July 1, 1943.

From 1938 until the mid-1950s, the lookout man was Collin Gillis, known as Scotty. He had a reputation for speed and accuracy in reporting fires, being a good cook, as well as taking care of Lookout Mountain raking the trail clear of leaves.

The lookout was staffed regularly every summer up to 1997. It is presently on emergency status, and is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.