High Rock Lookout
US 387, WA 47
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 387, WA 47 (view other lookouts in United States, Washington) |
| Date Registered | June 1, 2001 |
| Nominated by | Bud Panco |
| Location |
Gifford Pinchot National Forest Lewis County, Washington |
| Coordinates |
N 46° 41.070' W 121° 54.000' (view using Google Maps) N 46° 41' 04" W 121° 54' 00" N 46.684500° W 121.900000° |
| Elevation | 5,288 ft (1,612 m) |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Cowlitz Valley Ranger District |
Description
Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular lookouts in America, High Rock is on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest just south of Mt. Ranier National Park. The 14' x 14' gable roof L-4 ground house with catwalk was built in 1929 and staffed the same year. It is perched on the edge of a 1200' sheer cliff. The historic site is carefully maintained by the Forest Service and is reached by a 1.6 mile trail which is usually free of snow by July 1. The NHLR certificate was presented at the Circle of Stewards meeting in June 2001 to Harry Cody, District Ranger and Bud Panco, longtime High Rock observer.
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
August 19, 2017: Michelle
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No |
| Condition of wood OK? | No |
| Stairs OK? | No |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | It is very unfortunate to see this lookout in this condition!!! We have been there numerous times and it is in disrepair and has been vandalized. I thought I had heard at one time that there was a grant to do maintenance to the building and repair the cables... The forest service does nothing more than maintain the trail, or should I say volunteers do -- from the looks of it, they (the Forest Service) have done NOTHING to maintain the actual lookout. Hopefully something is done soon to restore this piece of history before it is gone forever. Bud Panco would be so heartbroken to see his beloved lookout in this condition!! |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There is only one sign on the FS 52 road and its from the Packwood side. Once on the gravel road, there is only one sign telling you that it is 9 miles to the lookout....after that, you're on your own. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
Needs to be.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Unsure |
Photos |
|
Cabin exterior with broken windows and graffiti |
|
May 27, 2017: Tim Seaman
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | Mouse droppings abound. Firefinder still in place. A bunch of trash in the attic. I believe every window had panes missing, and a number were boarded over. Shutters are getting old. Railing will need to be replaced in the next few years. There was a fair amount of wood and a generator under the lookout. The door to the basement fell off and will need to be replaced. It also needs it's lightning protection reinstalled. The structure itself appeared sound. Reinforcements had been added to hold up the ceiling on one side. If it doesn't get some attention in the next couple years, it's going to need some major restoration. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Unsure |
August 14, 2011: Johnny Breedlove
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Paint is peeling and could be updated in the next couple of years for sure. There was a cracked window and a piece of tape on the door window, presumably a crack. The structure was sound and sturdy. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Comments: | Awesome view |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There was one directional sign coming in off NF-52 which stated the lookout was 23 miles out. There were not any other signs directing folk to the trailhead. At the trailhead the sign was standing and mostly readable but damaged. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
Don't believe this unit is staffed.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
No Response
I do not know
|
October 21, 2006: Shawn Seeger
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | No Response |
| Comments: | This lookout is fantastic! But it does need some work, paint, cable tightening, replace handcable posts replaced, and some board replacement. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | Access is from forest service road. There was no sign that I saw. The hike is steep, with an aprx 1400ft elev gain in 1.6 miles. No toilets, No Water... go prepared. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
Not when I was there the last 2 months, September/October.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |