Mount Annie Fire Lookout Site

Lookout Elevation: 6,055 feet
Hiking Distance: 2 miles from gate, less if open or direct route taken.
Elevation Gain: 900 feet from gate, 550 feet if open
County: Okanogan
Access: Good gravel to gate 2 miles below summit.

Mt. Annie is popular because it rises to over 6,000 feet and has 2,455 feet prominence, making it the 84th most prominent peak in Washington state. There was also a fire lookout on top. Unfortunately, the views are gone since the forest has grown up.

In 1933, a road was being constructed up Mt. Annie. In early August, 5 miles were complete with another 5 to go to reach the summit. At the very end of September, the road had reached the top and crews were preparing to erect the lookout tower. By October 6, the Mt. Ann lookout tower was being framed in preparation to being raised. It was all finished before winter.

In 1934, the first summer of the tower was staffed by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Wills of Tonasket. The tower was a 60-foot pole tower with an L-6 cab on top. An accompanying log cabin was built at the base. Panoramic photos were also taken this year in mid-September, a few days after the staffers closed the shutters for the season.

In 1956, it was discovered that one of the tower legs was hollow with rot.

In 1957 the tower was destroyed.

Mt. Annie Road is signed off Highway 20. The road is very nice. Use the map provided to reach the gates. There are 2 gates at 5,000 feet, roughly 6 miles from Highway 20. Take the left gate road. This gate is usually locked but a recent timber sale had the road open. The Forest Service is likely encouraging people to get their firewood here as the downed timber was ridiculous. I was able to drive up further, switchbacking to the top of the timber sale before hitting the abandoned section of road (in 2020). Walk from this point. There are many dead trees fallen across the road. Many have been cut in past years but there were too many new ones to make it worth my effort. I just blazed up the ridge to the summit. Some of the forest is choked full of deadfall, so picking a good route is important.

Mount Annie Lookout Site