Kloshe Nanitch Lookout
US 572, WA 54

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 572, WA 54 (view other lookouts in United States, Washington)
Date Registered March 22, 2004
Nominated by Virginia Tillotson
Location Olympic National Forest
Clallam County, Washington
Coordinates N 48° 04.859' W 124° 04.780' (view using Google Maps)
N 48° 04' 52" W 124° 04' 47"
N 48.080980° W 124.079670°
Elevation 3,147 ft (959 m)
Administered by U.S. Forest Service
Cooperators Pacific Ranger District

Description

The first lookout at Kloshe Nanitch on the Olympic National Forest was a D-6 wooden cupola groundhouse built in 1917. With the later addition of North Point Lookout, it was gradually phased out as a detection site. However, in 1996 the Forest Service rebuilt the historic cupola design, upgraded to current construction codes, as an interpretive site and recreation rental. The lookout is accessed from the USFS Snider Work Camp. Due to improvements to the access road, it is wheelchair accessible. The lookout offers spectacular views of Mt. Olympus, Lake Crescent and the Sol Duc River. It is located at the transition zone between the lower western hemlock forest and the high elevation silver fir so it has a beautiful diverse display of wildflowers. As of October 15, 2012, the lookout has now been removed. See link to article below.

Map

Change Basemap

Visit Reports

May 4, 2003: Alan Sprouse

Condition

Needs paint? No Response
Shutters OK? Yes
Condition of wood OK? Yes
Stairs OK? No Response
Glass intact? Yes
Good condition? Yes
Comments: This lookout is a replica of the the original 1920s lookout. There are no stairs and the ladder has been removed to deny access to the upper level.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? No
Comments: There are spectacular views of: Lake Pleasent, the Olympic Mountains, the Sol Duc Valley, Lake Crescent, and Mt. Muller. At the site there are picnic tables, a vault toilet, garbage facilities, and some parking. There is no water.

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? Yes
Comments? Vehicle access is made from Forest Service Road 3040 behind Snider Work Center which is located 5 miles west of Lake Crescent or 20 miles east of Forks near mile post 211 on highway 101. Road 3040 is seven miles one-lane gravel with turnouts. A truck is highly recommended.

Staffing

Staffed? Yes
It would be possible to staff in an emergency however the lookout is in the the Olympic National "Rain" Forest. The relative humidity is usually very high.

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities? Yes
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? Yes
I do not have information about staffing or maintenance. The headquarters for the Olympic National Forest is in Port Angeles, Washington.