The People Persuing Standing or Former Lookouts of Washington
Although there is a huge diverse crowd of people who enjoy visiting fire lookouts, the number of people actively trying to visit all of them is rather small. An even fewer number, maybe just a hand full of people are keeping track of every visit to the former lookout sites. The most obvious problem is that no complete list has been made of where they all were. There were somewhere in the range of 700 lookout sites at various times between 1915 to today. I am currently persuing this list and at the same time, helping the Kresek Lookout Inventory list to be as accurate as possible. Below are some fellow lookout enthusiasts who help with collaborating information on locations and current access.
Paul Michelson became the second person to finish the Washington Lookouts list on June 13, 2015 at Miners Ridge Lookout. At the time of his completion, there were 93 known Washington fire lookouts still standing at their officially used locations. This is a group of people who made the long hike there to support his completion.
1) Craig Willis: Completed in September 2014 at Diamond Peak Patrol Tower
2) Paul Michelson: Completed on June 13, 2015 at Miners Ridge Lookout
Eric Noel 81
4) Eric Willhite: Completed on August 24, 2019 at Monument 83 Lookout
Bob Pfeifer (RIP) (1 shy of completion 2015)
Standing Lookouts Visited - Even If Now Gone
Steve Fox 54
FFLA Gathering 2015 (Daves Lookout - Spokane WA)
Lauren Shaw 59
Doug McKeever 60+
Leslie Romer 70
3) Christine Estrada: Completed on July 2, 2019 at Mount Pilchuck Lookout
Ralph & Peggy Owen 85
Kari Darvill 92
Dave Coate 88
For the most up to date conditions about lookouts, join the Facebook group: Fire Lookouts of Washington. Just be aware that Facebook censors free speech. You do not need snowflake nerds deciding FOR you what to think, see or hear.
Tammy McLeod 88ish
Austin Smith 66
Patti Rossie 62
5) Sarah Santos: Completed on September 2019 at Lynx Mountain ground cabin
6) Lawrence Kuracina: Completed on June 29, 2020 at Sullivan Mountain Lookout
Jeff Ruckle (only needs Monument 83 to finish)
Eric Willhite
Christine Estrada
Kari Darvill
Dave Coate
Sarah Santos
Jeff Ruckle
Tour Guide Brian
Yakama Nation Lookout Work Party Spring 2019
Christine Estrada became the third person to finish the Washington Lookouts list on July 2, 2019 at Mt. Pilchuck. She saved Pilchuck for last allowing her friends and Dad (shown above) to join her in her celebration at sunset.
It should be noted that the current list of standing lookouts is currently 95 although some debate is out that Lynx Creek cabin should not be on the list and another debate that House Rock shelter should be on the list.
Finish on Monument 83, four fingers for 4th person to finish. August 24, 2019
Sara Santos finishing at Lynx Creek, 5 fingers for the 5th person to finish. September 2019. Note: there is debate about if the Lynx cabin should be on the list, but it was included in the original 93 list when Craig finished, so the site remains, until it burns or falls down. She actually finished on her birthday on Strawberry Mountain.
2nd annual gathering of finishers and those persuing lookouts. November 2019
Kerry Lowry, Don Lund, Jeff Ruckle, Bruce Verhei, Tammy McLeod, Alan Mainwaring, Doug McKeever, Leslie Romer, Christine Estrada, Paul Michelson, Lawrence Kuracina, Debbie Newell, Dave Tallent, Dave Coate, Kari Darvill, Sara Santos, Ralph & Peggy Owen, Craig Willis, Eric Willhite
7) Debbie Newell: Completed September 4, 2020 at Three Fingers Lookout
Lawrence finishing on Sullivan on June 29, 2020. His car broke down on the final lookout stranding him in the NE corner of the state.
8) Dave Tallent: Completed September 4, 2020 at Three Fingers Lookout
Enji Cooper 78
9) Alexei Evans: Completed August 29, 2021 at Monument 83 Lookout
Craig at Three Fingers with one lookout left to go.
WillhiteWeb.com
2020 was not planned due to covid.
If you would like to be on this list or updated,
email me.
Alexei Evans finishing on August 29, 2021 at Monument 83 having waited until Canada opened back up to cross the border..
Jose Calvario 18
1st annual gathering of finishers and those persuing lookouts. Year 2018
3nd annual gathering of finishers and those persuing lookouts. November 2021
For the newest finishers:
#6 Lawrence Kuracina on June 29, 2020 at Sullivan Mountain Lookout
#7 Debbie Newell on September 4, 2020 at Three Fingers Lookout
#8 David Tallent on September 4, 2020 at Three Fingers Lookout
#9 Alexei Evans on August 29, 2021 at Monument 83 Lookout
Kyla Hinds 52
Paul Klenke 60+
Robert Kendall 34
Scott Rice 78
Curt Baxstrom 76
Max Schrempp 69
Andy Boos 59
Rex Kamstra 57
Grant Myers 51
David Carmody 51
Rich P. 50