Kelly Butte Lookout
US 910, WA 59
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 910, WA 59 (view other lookouts in United States, Washington) |
| Date Registered | August 15, 2011 |
| Nominated by | Bob Adler |
| Location |
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest King County, Washington |
| Coordinates |
N 47° 10.157' W 121° 29.422' (view using Google Maps) N 47° 10' 09" W 121° 29' 25" N 47.169278° W 121.490371° |
| Elevation | 5,409 ft (1,649 m) |
| Built | 1950 |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Snoqualmie R.D., Enumclaw Ranger Station |
Description
The first lookout at Kelly Butte on the Snoqualmie National Forest was D-6 12'x12' cupola cabin build in 1926. In 1950 it was replaced by this 1932 14'x14' ground house with catwalk and staffed until the 1980s. Completely restored in 2011 with a new access trail, it is currently active as a fire lookout and staffed by trained volunteers.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
From the trail looking north, July 2, 2011
Plaque at dedication of Kelly Butte as a national historic building, September 2011
Visit Reports
September 6, 2019: John Hearing
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Lookout is in great shape; Outside painted this year (2019), deck protected with SuperDeck, and roof treated with Shingle oil. Inside of lookout is okay but needs paint; Firefinder is operational and in excellent condition; Two Wallowa toilets are in place at lookout for use by staff and visitors. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | USFS radio repeater installed in attic and powered by solar panel installed on shutter |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Trail to lookout is well maintained; Visitors to lookout welcome when staffed; |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Lookout staffed by USFS volunteers and staff from 1 July to 30 September. Volunteers receive training by USFS and are linked into Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Natl Forest radio network.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
Photos |
|
September 2019 photo |
|
September 29, 2012: Bob Adler
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | small leak in southwest corner of lookout. Some floor boards need renailing. A system needs to be devised to hold shutters closed (currently being screwed shut in winter) Some touchup paint needed. Catwalk and railing will need restain in 2013. Cedar shingle roof needs shake oil treatment to last. Shutters need metal supports to keep them from sagging. |
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
Enumclaw Ranger district has volunteer host program in place. Lookout is regularly hosted throughout the summer. Great job with that...keeps vandals away. I am concerned that the lookout is left entirely open when not hosted. Osborne Fire Finder vulnerable to theft.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Trail needs brushing.
|