Spruce Mountain Fire Tower
US 86, VT 2
October 2016 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 86, VT 2 (view other lookouts in United States, Vermont) |
| Date Registered | June 1, 1994 |
| Nominated by | Mark Haughwout, New Hampshire Director, FFLA |
| Location |
Plainfield Washington County, Vermont |
| Coordinates |
N 44° 14.056' W 072° 21.289' (view using Google Maps) N 44° 14' 03" W 072° 21' 17" N 44.234265° W 072.354812° |
| Elevation | 2,947 ft (898 m) |
| Administered by | Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation |
| Cooperators | Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation |
Description
Three generations of fire lookouts have stood atop Vermont's Spruce Mountain. The first, an open platform with legs integral with the four corners of the ground cabin, was constructed in 1919. It was replaced in 1931 by a taller spruce log tower with a 7'x7' wooden cab. In 1943 the current steel tower with 7'x7' metal cab was moved from Bellevue Hill to Spruce Mountain where it stands today. No longer used for fire detection, the tower is now maintained by the Vermont State Parks Division.
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Visit Reports
October 16, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The tower is in great condition. The steps are in fine shape, and the only possible danger is that in the cab, the wall south of the stairs is pulled away from the cab floor. However, this is not a major problem and would be easy to fix. The footings from a previous tower can be found on the right of the current tower, and the foundation of the watchman's cabin can also be found on the summit. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The trailhead is well-marked. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |