Glassy Mountain Fire Tower
US 706, GA 9
October 2016

October 2016 - courtesy of John W

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 706, GA 9 (view other lookouts in United States, Georgia)
Date Registered July 26, 2007
Nominated by John Mayer
Location Chattahoochee National Forest
Rabun County, Georgia
Coordinates N 34° 50.816' W 083° 30.083' (view using Google Maps)
N 34° 50' 49" W 083° 30' 05"
N 34.846940° W 083.501390°
Elevation 3,315 ft (1,010 m)
Built 1941
Administered by U.S. Forest Service
Cooperators Chattooga Ranger District

Description

Glassy Mountain Lookout, built in 1941, is a 55’ metal tower with a 13’x13’ CL-100 series metal live-in cab with catwalk, located in the Chattachoochee National Forest in north Georgia. In the 1960’s an additional ground residence and garage were added.

Map

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Photos

Visit Reports

September 2, 2018: Patrick Warren

Condition
Needs paint? Yes
Shutters OK? Not Applicable
Condition of wood OK? Yes
Stairs OK? Yes
Glass intact? No
Good condition? Yes
Comments: The structure is starting to suffer from rust, especially on the cabin. Most of the glass is intact, however, quite a few of the windows have been blown out / shattered. There is a modern US Forest Service administration building at the base of the tower. The American Flag is tattered and needs to be replaced. The floor tiles are coming undone and needs some work. Overall the tower is in good condition, the grounds are upkept and the other buildings are well maintained. --- Multiple individuals have expressed interest to our organization in volunteering time / resources to preserve this tower. Deterioration can be slowed if missing glass panes in windows are replaced and if tower was derusted and painted.

Electronics and Enroachments
Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? Yes
Comments: Multiple communications equipment on lookout tower.

Access and Signs
NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? No
Comments? The road to the lookout tower can only accomidate 1 vehicle at a time, and is several miles of dirt / gravel. There is a locked vehicle barrier gate 1 mile from the tower, there are limited places to park / turn-around, and the remainder of the distance requires a treck up mountain to the tower.

Staffing
Staffed? Sometimes
There is a modern US Forest Service building at base of tower which looks actively used; however, many visitors have reported the site was not staffed. There are security camera's in use to prevent illegal activity and vandalism.

Opportunities for Volunteer Support
Volunteers staffing opportunities? Unsure
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? Unsure
Multiple individuals have expressed interest to our organization in volunteering time / resources to preserve this tower. Deterioration can be slowed if missing glass panes in windows are replaced and if tower was derusted and painted.

Photos

Photo courtesy of Patrick Warren

October 30, 2016: John W

Condition
Needs paint? Yes
Shutters OK? No Response
Condition of wood OK? No Response
Stairs OK? Yes
Glass intact? Yes
Good condition? Yes
Comments: A few of the windowpanes are broken and the glass has been left on the floor where it fell, but most are intact. Some rust is coming through the paint in places, but overall it looks decent. There is an old desk in the tower, but nothing else.

Electronics and Enroachments
Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? Yes
Comments: There are three communication towers and some buildings behind the fire tower to the north east.

Access and Signs
NHLR sign posted? No Response
Directions to tower signed? No

Staffing
Staffed? Sometimes
Still manned by the forestry folks at times. I work at the cell sites behind the tower and see the guys there from time to time. Have seen their helicopter up there too.

Opportunities for Volunteer Support
Volunteers staffing opportunities? No Response
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? No Response