Bear Mountain (Shasta-Bear) Lookout is a Plesha design, Plan No. 1548-lA. The steel tower was erected around the original 1933,  CCC era lookout (L-601 with BC-301 cab). After demolition of the older tower and cab, the new tower was then finished off with a second story room and 732-6A type cab. This "phased" construction explains why the subject building is 90 degrees off axis. (Lookouts are generally orientated to the cardinal points). The tower is composed of square ( 9"x9"x28') steel columns which were originally intended for use in the construction of above ground, atomic bomb testing towers. This was the first tower CDF constructed using these materials. The lookout is an excellent example of a low maintenance, high vandal proof building type.

Shasta-Bear Mountain Lookout is located upon a southwest tending ridge that has a pronounced escarpment along its southeastern face. The area is covered in pine, oak and brush. The Bear Fire overran this location in 1990, forcing the evacuation of the lookout station. The site has restricted access, being some 5 miles from paved road, behind locked gates.