Vulcan Mountain Fire Lookout Site

Lookout Elevation: 5,204 feet
Hiking Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Access: Good for all vehicles

Looking Southeast 1934

In 1915, Sept. 17, The Republic News-Miner reported, “The local office of the Forest Service have completed the field work for the present season and will relieve the guards from duty. Lookout towers for fire detectives were built on Sherman, Bonaparte, Vulcan and First Thought mountains.”

In 1931, “Willis Ward and R.E. Foote are constructing a fifty foot pole lookout tower on Vulcan Mountain.” (Republic News-Miner) “Spur lines will be constructed this summer to Vulcan mountain…with these new lines and increased detection it is the object to reduce the discovery time on fires.” (The Colville Examiner)

In 1933, the 55 foot pole tower with 6x6 foot cab and a log cabin were finished.

In 1934, “Superintendent of road construction Foote, has started location work on a road to the Vulcan mountain lookout. This road will open up a large area and will be of value for fire protection purposes.” (The Republic News-Miner, May 25)

In 1934, panoramic photos were taken at 55 feet plus 3 feet.

In 1952 they were destroyed.

From Curlew, just north of town, turn west on Vulcan Mountain Road. This major road is paved at first, then becomes an excellent wide gravel road. After passing some homes, it will come to a major Y intersection. A sign should point right to Vulcan Mountain. From this point, use my map. The roads are really good in this part of the National Forest. You can get to the trailhead with any vehicle.

There is no sign at the trailhead but a berm and parking for a few cars. The trail is an old road that goes all the way to the lookout site. There are a few old side roads but the walking paths on those are more overgrown. When you arrive at the lookout site, you are between 2 knolls. To the left is the highest and the location of the tower, but there are no views there. To the right is a smaller knoll with views and the location of the cabin. Phone insulators are all around the knobs.

WillhiteWeb.com: Washington Fire Lookouts

Looking Southwest 1934

Get low to the ground and you see lots of this around

Tree being girtled by a phone line about a quarter

Vulcan Mountain from Franson Peak Lookout

Trail to the lookout site

View from the lookout site in 2019

Tower site, no footings found but the structure is crashed in the woods there

Insulator at the end of the road

Old entrance to the cabin

Said to be the Vulcan Mountain Fire Lookout (no date and cab verification)

Vulcan was on the Suplemental AWS posts