The existing lookout structure on Quartz Mountain was originally built on the summit of Mount Spokane in 1979 by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. It sat 40′ high and was used for fire spotting until it was permanently decommissioned in 1994.

Eventually the DNR gave up on costly ongoing repairs and the lookout was destined for demolition until Park staff and the Advisory Committee requested that it be given to the Park.

In June of 2001, crews scrapped the tower and the 9,000 pound cabin was lifted with a crane and moved by truck to the Mount Spokane State Park ranger’s residence, where it would sit while paperwork and permits were processed.

Finally in late August of 2004, a state parks maintenance crew made the old road to Quartz passable for heavy trucks, poured 4 concrete pillars, and stretched the limits of a boom crane moving the existing cab atop its new 10′ tower on Quartz Mountain.

In 2005, the lookout joined a rental program and can be reserved from June-September each year for about $100/night.