Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 76, VA 1 (view other lookouts in United States, Virginia) |
| Date Registered | January 27, 1994 |
| Nominated by | Bud Risner, Dry River District Ranger and Gerard Jaques, S.O. Fire Staff |
| Location |
George Washington National Forest Rockingham County, Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 38° 34.122' W 079° 10.242' (view using Google Maps) N 38° 34' 07" W 079° 10' 15" N 38.568700° W 079.170700° |
| Elevation | 4,107 ft (1,252 m) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Dry River Ranger District |
Description
High Knob Lookout is one of but three fire towers remaining on the George Washington National Forest where there once were 24.
Located at an elevation of 4,107 feet, on the state line between Virginia’s Rockingham County and West Virginia’s Pendleton County, the High Knob Fire Lookout Tower is one of the most outstanding viewing spots in the George Washington National Forest. The 20’ stone tower has a wooden 14’x14’ cab with a catwalk. It is the only stone lookout in Virginia and is a memorial to the veterans and CCC personnel who built it. The tower was restored in 2003.
Construction on High Knob Lookout Tower, started in 1939 by World War I veterans, was under the supervision of John Moffett of Stuarts Draft, Virginia. The tower was completed in 1940 by men working out of North River Camp #2 of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Milford C. Howard of Bridgewater, Virginia, was the Forest Supervisor at that time.
Map
Photos
Former USFS rangers Bill Woodland and Charlie Huppuch hiking to High Knob in December 2013
Former USFS rangers Bill Woodland and Charlie Huppuch at top of High Knob in December 2013
Lookout Gerald Fawley using an Osborne Fire Finder at High Knob
Cab interior in June 2009
View from High Knob Lookout in June 2009
View from High Knob Lookout in June 2009
View from High Knob Lookout in June 2009
Visit Reports
May 13, 2018: Kristin Reynolds
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | A few windows as well as door are covered with wood. Stairs will probably need to be replaced towards the top in the next few years. Overall, tower in good condition. Wish access to the interior could be granted. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Lookout Register Certificate proudly displayed at trailhead :) |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
Photos |
|
|
|
April 18, 2017: Tammy Simmons
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Is in pretty good shape. Some of the railing is wearing but otherwise in good shape overall. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No Response |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |
Photos |
|
April 18, 2017 photo |
|
December 5, 2013: Charles Huppuch
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | No Response |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Wooden Stairs look good along with wood doors. Cab looks good and paint is holding up for a few more years. <br />Wooden locust rails are getting weak in sections and could be dangerous soon if they should break or pull out.The inside floor of the cabin show signs there may be a small leak in the roof |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Trail to tower in generally good shape and has a trail head board describing the history of the lookout. No vandalism noted. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |