Pompey Peak Lookout Site

The lookout on Pompey Peak was likely built in the early 1930s. It was a cab with one side of the cab base on the summit rocks while the other side was supported by a lower level. On July 13, 1934, panoramics were taken at 15 feet above the ground, on the roof.

Local legend says Pompey Peak was named for a pack animal who stumbled over a cliff while hauling materials up to build the lookout. There was even a hand-carved monument marking the spot in tribute to the animal. But since Pompey’s Peak was already named back on the 1915 map, and no structure was built until the 1930s, the story is questionable. If the animal was hauling building materials, it must have been materials for Cispus Lookout built in 1915. It’s most likely that the peak was named after the fallen pack animal long before the lookouts era.

The 1915 map shows the Pompey Peak Trail climbing out of the valley and reaching the Klickitat Trail. These are some very old trails that today get very little use. Some have claimed the trails could be 2000 years old as these trails were a main route between the east side settlements of Yakima and the west side Cowlitz River settlements. Just before the summit spur of Pompey Peak, I found around 10 phone insulators or pegs in a row, uninterrupted, that’s pretty amazing. The lookout on Pompey Peak was also used by the AWS during WWII. It was activated November 8, 1942 and deactivated in October 15, 1943. One of the observers was a Mrs. Beglau. The lookout was abandoned in the 1950’s and burned in 1958. A USGS party in 1961 confirms this reporting that the lookout house and all other buildings have been burned.

A few miles south of Packwood off Highway 12 is the signed Forest Road 20. Follow FR 20 for roughly 13 miles. The road is good for any vehicle but there are potholes in some areas that cause slow going, and one recent washout area that should be passable for all. The trailhead is unsigned. You can find it at a primitive campsite where the road turns back north. There is also trail access at Jackpot Lake, also unsigned.

WillhiteWeb.com: Fire Lookouts

Elevation: 5,180 feet
Hiking Distance: 4.75 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 1,300 in, 400 out
Access: Any car if taken slow at times

The historic route from the west side has had some private property issues. Alternate west side access on old forest roads have seen numerous wash-outs over the years. I do not know the conditions of the West access (although I might take a look in years to come). The simplest option is to come from the East on the Klickitat Trail, then the Pompey Peak Trail. There are many ups and downs but overall, the 9.5 mile round-trip hike isn’t bad. Plus, by going this way, you can visit Cispus Peak, another former lookout site. Use the map provided.

Pompey Peak Lookout 2019

Pond on the Klickitat Trail

Sign at the 0.2 mile spur off the Pompey Peak Trail

Pompey Peak Trail under Twin Sisters

Lots of phone line hangers in route

Packwood area from the summit

South and West in 2019

View Southwest in 1934

View Southeast in 1934

Pompey on the AWS maps

Phone line and insulator

Pompeys Peak on the 1915 Columbia National Forest Map

1928 USGS, 1945 update

My 2 year old showing me a door piece

1924 USGS showing trail up Kilborn Creek, then up Pompeys Peak to near top but just to obtain ridgeline, not to summit

Route from Forest Road 20 to Pompey Peak (also shows short side trail to Cispus Lookout site)