One of only six active lookouts in Colorado, Benchmark Lookout on the San Juan National Forest was built in 1970 to replace Glade Mountain Lookout. It is a 14'x14' R2 flattop cab with catwalk on a 42’ wooden tower.

As of 2019, the tower in good to excellent condition. Cab interior and exterior in good to excellent condition.  Maintenance ongoing by me, the current lookout, as well as district personnel.  During the 2018 season I replaced and painted the catwalk railing and bracing and replaced most of the east catwalk deck.  I scraped, caulked and painted all of the window frames and window trim.  I restored and painted two original signs.  The cab was vandalized before the 2018 fire season which prompted the district to install a locked gate .3 mile below tower.  Chainlink fencing and a gate were also installed at the bottom of the stairs to help prevent further vandalism.  Solar batteries are being replaced with sealed gel batteries for 2019 season. There is no “friends of” organization.  Information provided by Rick Freimuth.