Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Has anyone stayed in a fire lookout

Search

Has anyone stayed in a fire lookout

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 9th, 2013, 11:41 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Has anyone stayed in a fire lookout

I saw there were several fire lookouts that could be rented along the west coast, Montana and Colorado. Has anyone ever stayed in one? Is there anything you wish you would have bought and did not think about it until it was to late?
GreatVacations is offline  
Old Mar 9th, 2013, 08:40 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Was you ever bit by a dead bee?
Rastaguytoday is offline  
Old Mar 10th, 2013, 07:57 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,728
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Here is the link you are looking for: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/reservations/
In 2008 '09 and '10 during the summers I worked at 2 different fire towers in Oregon. It's a lot better to get paid for it than to pay for a very small hotel room with the outhouse 50 feet below you.
The fire lookout season starts in late May and ends in October with the first snow.
I do have a friend who snowshoed in to Hagar Mt. more than once. I'm happy to answer any questions about the life of a fire lookout.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Mar 14th, 2013, 08:33 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tom, what fire towers did you work at in Oregon?
GreatVacations is offline  
Old Mar 14th, 2013, 09:36 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,182
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I have a friend who does this down in Oregon. Sorry don't know any details, except that he loves it.
suze is offline  
Old Mar 14th, 2013, 06:01 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,728
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
In 2008 I was the relief lookout at East Butte and Spring Butte.
East Butte is about 30 miles SE of Bend (south of US 20).
Spring Butte is about 14 miles SE of LaPine (south of Paulina Peak).
In 2009 and 10 I was the primary lookout at Spring Butte.
These lookouts are in the Deschutes National Forest.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2013, 11:25 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I might schedule this hike for next August. Hidden Lake Lookout near North Cascades National Park. The accommodations are first come first serve. Might do it during the middle of the week, so I have a better chance to have a roof over my head.
http://www.oddinns.com/index.php/pag...kelookout.html
GreatVacations is offline  
Old Mar 23rd, 2013, 01:03 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,728
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
I don't think I would hike 4.5 miles from the nearest road to 6900' carrying an ice axe and all the rest of my camping gear.
The fire towers I sleep in have a bed to put your sleeping bag on. http://www.backpacker.com/2012-novem...inations/17142
East Butte and Spring Butte each have a 4 burner stove with oven, a propane refrigerator and a wall furnace if needed.
The lighting is either gas lamps or battery powered. The battery is kept charged by a solar panel.
Pack a headlamp in case you have to go to the outhouse after dark.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2013, 05:04 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gosh... This brings back memories.... Years ago we planned an entire trip from a book "how to vacation in a fire lookout tower in the Pacific Northwest".... Ultimately we stayed in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska ( tho not all accommodations were actually " towers" )... In Alaska we were dropped in by a bush pilot who landed on a lake.
worldinbetween is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
elbegewa
United States
3
May 19th, 2018 10:24 AM
wparmar
United States
9
Nov 30th, 2012 04:41 AM
TheHolmesFamily
Road Trips
9
Mar 23rd, 2011 11:13 AM
relaford
United States
165
Jun 27th, 2005 01:47 PM
kknapper
United States
5
Dec 10th, 2003 10:19 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -