Rooster Comb Mountain - Considered Site

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Panoramic Site 2022 Visit

Located in the Green River Watershed between Smay Creek and the Green River, this seldom visited location was photographed in 1936. The panoramic images were labeled Rooster Comb Mountain. On maps, as early as 1915, the name Rooster Comb Mountain was a summit just a bit to the northwest of where the panoramic photos were taken. At the time of the photos, the ridge was recovering from a fire. This particular point on the ridge has a rocky cliff to the south, so even today, there is still a view.

Elevation: 4,120+ feet
Photos taken: August 2, 1936

Approximated location for different events

Rooster Comb Mountain was on maps as far back as 1915.

Lookouts HOME

April 13, 1933: Lester Camp activity list of projects - Rooster Comb Horse Trail

Found in the same batch of Lester documents, discussion about use of a five-meter radio at emergency lookout points and primary lookout points.

1933 job list showing the building of a 4 mile horse trail to Rooster Comb and a telephone line.

ECW (Emergency Conservation Work) was the name prior to CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

This 1933 planning map for the ECW crews shows the trail to be built up from Negrom to the named summit of Rooster Comb Mountain.

This location is inside the restricted Green River Watershed - City of Tacoma Water Supply

In 1933, the CCC had a work camp below the mountain at Lester. Several 1933 work order documents show plans to build a horse trail and phone line up to the summit of Rooster Comb. It is reasonable to believe Rooster Comb had been used at some point as a lookout point, what other reason would you want to put a horse trail and phone line up.

Then, three years later in 1936, panoramics were taken by the photo team going to lookouts and proposed lookout sites. It is unclear why the photos were taken from the southern ridge and not the main mountain. Documents show the desired trail going to the main mountain, not the panoramic site. But, the panoramic site is actually higher in elevation and likely was a better view into the desired areas.

Along with the camp documents were discussions about emergency lookout points and use of radio communications to primary lookouts.

Looking North - August 2, 1936

Legend for map

We visited the site to confirm the panoramic location. Nothing relevant to the time period was found searching the ground and with the use of a metal detector. Drone shots to the north will be slightly higher in elevation than the panoramic photos. Trees block north views. South side is a cliff.