Mobray Lookout Site - Grays Harbor County

This DNR lookout was a 12 foot wooden tower in 1937. In 1942 a 30 foot wood tower was built with an 8x8 foot cab on top. It was destroyed in 1963.

Elevation: 656 feet
Distance: Drive-to
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
Access: Paved

From Montesano, take the Wynoochee Valley Road for around 17 miles to the site. Park on the side of the road where it hits the highest point, or one of the small side roads near the highpoint.

A 1937 survey party said the 12 foot lookout was directly above the Mobray Benchmark. The benchmark was described as right off the Wynoochee Valley Road, 30 feet east of the center line of the road, on the highest point of the ridge. The benchmark is just a few feet in the tall brush off the side of the road.

If you can find the Mobray Benchmark, then you are set to find the second 1942 lookout location. A 1954 survey party reported the benchmark is about 300 feet west-southwest of the Mobray State Forest Lookout. So, if standing on the benchmark, take a baring east-northeast and go 300 feet. Good luck, the footings are there but I have missed them several times. Also, at the end of 2021, tree crews thinned the stand so there are downed trees everywhere.

In 1953 (2nd location) showing structure and road to lookout off the mainline

In 1994 with area of lookout in timber

1958 USGS Map showing Mobray and Prices Peak lookouts

View west and north from the harvested area on the west side of the road (these trees have grown and are now blocking the view)

Wynoochee Valley Road from near highpoint

Benchmark GPS
N47 10.873
W123 36.629

From Green Commonwealth by Stewart Holbrook

Footings GPS
N47 10.883
W123 36.560

The 1942 lookout footings, photo by Jeff Ruckle.

At this time, I have reason to believe the Mobray AWS site was about a mile north. This would be odd but that is where the evidence is leading. More to come later.