West Point Lookout

The first structure at West Point was a cupola cabin built in 1925. In 1934 when the panoramics were taken, for some reason, instead of the normal shots from the upper cupola or even the roof, Mr. Rittenhouse shot them from the bottom level windows at 5 feet above the ground. Also, you can see there was a slightly higher knob just a 100 feet distance in the SW panoramic. Rittenhouse took a fourth photo from that knob in the south direction. Well, in 1955, when the cupola was replaced with an L-4 cab, the new cab was placed on that highest knob. So when visiting, be sure to go up both knobs, both had lookouts.

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Elevation: 3,580 feet
Hiking Distance: Half mile
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Access: Good gravel roads

Use the map below. We used the west access via the 54 road to the 57 road and 5704 road. The final spur road has some large potholes but most should be fine or walk it.

A nice trail follows the old road almost to the summit. At road end, find the original trail on the right and follow the faint tread to the summit.

Alan Howard photo from the mid-1960s

Labeled: West Point drinking beer

North to St. Helens in 1966

North to St. Helens in 2019, original site on left

Looking Southwest 1934

Looking Southeast 1934

This is the supplement image taken from the highest point looking south

View North with Mt. St. Helens hiding in the clouds

All the footings from the cab are still on the highpoint

Article from Lookout Network by Roger Currie Dennis

Trail route to summit