Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

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Lookouts

Mt. Baker Ranger District

Four historic lookouts are located on the Mt. Baker Ranger District which were formerly used as fire lookouts. They have been adopted by local organizations which volunteer time and materials to maintain the facilities.

The lookouts are open to the public for day or overnight use on a first-come first-served basis.

The lookouts are generally inaccessible until mid to late summer due to snow. If you plan to spend the night in a lookout be aware that they may be occupied when you arrive.

Park Butte Lookout (Built 1932)

Access: Forest Road 13 (Baker Lake Basin), Trail #603 - Hiker/Horse

Distance to Lookout: 3.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2100 feet

This lookout offers great close up views of Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters Range. The trail usually becomes snow-free by mid-July. The creek crossings can be difficult in the afternoon so please use caution. Lookout maintenance is performed by volunteers from the Skagit Alpine Club.

Winchester Lookout (Built 1935)

Access: Twin Lakes Road #3065 (N Fork Nooksack area), Trail #685 - Hiker Only

Distance to lookout: 2 miles

Elevation Gain: 1300 feet

Winchester provides great views of the Northern Picket Range and Canadian Peaks. The steep snowfields usually require an ice-axe well into July. The Twin Lakes road may not be be passable to the trailhead which will add 2 more miles to the hike. Volunteers from the Mt. Baker Hiking Club maintain the lookout.

Hidden Lake Lookout (Built 1931)

Access: Sibley Creek Road #1540 (Cascade River Area), Trail #745 - Hiker Only

Distance to lookout: 3.5 miles

Elevation gain: 3300 feet

Steep snowfields on the trail usually require an ice axe well into July. The views from the Hidden Lake Lookout include the south unit of the North Cascades National Park and the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The lookout is maintained by volunteers from the Friends of Hidden Lake Lookout..

Lookout Mountain Lookout (Built 1962)

Access: Cascade River Road, Trail 743 - Hiker

Distance to lookout: 4.7 miles

Elevation gain: 4300 feet

Usually snowfree by late July. The lookout offers spectacular views of Teebone Ridge, Hidden Lake Peak, Eldorado Peak, and other icy Cascade peaks. Please respect the lookout building and its contents.

Warning: To prevent the collapse of catwalks, the number of people on catwalks should be limited to two persons per side at one time.

Darrington Ranger District

Two lookouts in this district are open to the public on a first come first served basis for day or overnight use.

These lookouts are maintained by volunteers of the Everett Mountaineers.

Three Finger / Goat Flats (Built 1932-33)

Access: Tupso Pass Road (#41), Trail #641 - Hiker only

Distance to lookout: 6.7 miles

Elevation gain: 3854 feet

The hike to the lookout is very difficult and strenuous. The last 0.5 mile of the trail requires mountain climbing equipment expertise. A short, steep section of the Three Fingers Glacier must be traversed, followed by a rocky scramble and ascent of steep ladders to the lookout on the south peak of Three Fingers Mountain. As there is considerable exposure, those using the cabin and ladder must determine for themselves if the climb to the lookout is safe. Maintenance of the lookout is performed by Everett Mountaineers.

Mount Pilchuck Lookout (Built 1918 - Rebuilt by Everett Mountaineers in 1990)

Access: Pilchuck Road (#42), Trail #700 - Hiker Only

Distance to lookout: 3.0 miles

Elevation gain: 2224 feet

The hike to this lookout is strenuous and in the summer can be very crowded. At the top is an incredible panoramic view of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains as well as the Puget Sound lowlands. The trail is usually snow covered until midsummer. The trail climbs through beautiful old growth forest around heather covered hummocks to the rocky summit.

Skykomish Ranger District

Out of the two lookouts in this district that are open to the public.

The lookouts are currently available on a first-come first-served basis.

Heybrook Lookout

Access: US Highway 2 (2 miles past road to Index), Trail #1070 - Hiker Only

Distance to lookout: 1 mile

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

The trail begins by climbing through a second growth forest regenerated from clear cutting in the 1920's. Heybrook is an excellent early season hike because it is usually one of the first trails to be snow free in this area. The lookout is being rebuilt by volunteers from the Everett Mountaineers and is nearing completion.

Evergreen Mountain Lookout

Access: Forest Road #65 to #6550 to #6554 Trail #1056 - Hiker Only

Distance to lookout: Trail is 1.5 miles, but RD #6554 is currently closed 8 miles prior to the trailhead but will reopen after August 5.

Elevation gain: For just the trail the gain is 1,287 feet

This trail climbs steeply the first 2/3 mile through the old Evergreen Mountain Burn of 1967. The trail then enters dense forest while easing the grade a bit until reaching a small saddle below the lookout. The trail then becomes steep again before reaching the lookout. Views on a clear day include: Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier and a 360 degree vista of surrounding peaks. The trail is noted for wildflowers, scenery and sighting wildlife. Pack in plenty of water as there are no water sources along the trail. The lookout was rebuilt by the Everett Mountaineers and is available for rent.

Snoqualmie Ranger District - North Bend Area

Only one lookout in this district is open to the public.

It is a manned lookout so it is only open during the day. The lookout is cared for by both volunteers and the Forest Service and is traditionally open from May to October.

Granite Mountain (Built approx. 1924 replaced in 1956)

Access: I-90 exit 47, at stop sign turn left crossing the over pass, at the "T" make a left until you reach the Pratt Lake trailhead parking. Trail #1007 to #1016 - Hikers Only

Distance to lookout: 4.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 3629 feet

The trail begins by rising steeply and does not let up for almost its entire length. In midsummer water is scarce along the trail. In August and September, wildflowers and huckleberries are abundant. The lookout offers great views of the Cascades.

Snoqualmie Ranger District - White River Area

Only one lookout in this district is open to the public for day use only.

Suntop Lookout (Built 1933)

Access: From State Route 410 to FS Road #73 to #7315 to #510, Trail #1183 - Hikers Only

Distance to Lookout: Can currently drive to the lookout.

Elevation Gain: 270 feet

On a clear day the view is superb: Mt. Rainier is only 10 miles away to the south. The view also includes the central Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Baker 150 miles to the north. A spectacular drop of 3000 feet leads down to the White River on the east and Huckleberry Creek on the west.

A Northwest Forest Pass is required for all vehicles parked at the trailheads used to access the lookouts.

LOOKOUT SHELTERS - TIPS FOR OVERNIGHT USERS
Visitors should bring their own sleeping bags, food, candles or lantern and Coleman fuel (except at Winchester which has a propane stove). If more than two people, bring extra sleeping pads (Hidden Lake has extra pads under bed). Bring a tent in case the lookout is already occupied by other parties.

Detailed instructions for the operation of the lookout shelters are posted inside the building. Please read and follow these instructions carefully. See these instructions for the location of water sources and toilets and for the use of any lookout facilities.

Transfer gasoline outside the building and use great caution to prevent fires.

Rodents may be present inside the lookout building. Take every precaution to keep the lookout clean and store food in the rodent proof containers provided. Before leaving the lookout, make sure it is cleaner than you found it. Pack out all garbage.

Replenish any supplies you use or send a donation to the organization responsible for the maintenance of the lookout.

Two nights are the recommended maximum stay.

Volunteer work parties have priority at the lookout shelter. Generally, two or three work party weekends are held at each lookout per year. If a work party is present, a notice will be posted at the trailhead.

For more information about volunteering or contributing to the maintenance of these facilities, please contact:

PARK BUTTE LOOKOUT
Skagit Alpine Club, 20175 Hickox Rd., Mt. Vernon, WA 98274 (360) 424-5854

HIDDEN LAKE LOOKOUT
Friends of the Hidden Lake Lookout, 20175 East Hickox Road, Mt. Vernon,WA 98274

WINCHESTER LOOKOUT
Mt. Baker Hiking Club, PO Box 73, Bellingham WA 98227 (360) 733-1183

THREE FINGERS, PILCHUCK, EVERGREEN, and HEYBROOK LOOKOUTS
Everett Mountaineers

USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 24 June 2005 at 10:04:49 EDT