Tyee Mountain Lookout
US 125, WA 13
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 125, WA 13 (view other lookouts in United States, Washington) |
| Date Registered | July 1, 1995 |
| Nominated by | Ray Kresek, Washington Registrar |
| Location |
Wenatchee National Forest Chelan County, Washington |
| Coordinates |
N 47° 51.837' W 120° 28.267' (view using Google Maps) N 47° 51' 50" W 120° 28' 16" N 47.863954° W 120.471109° |
| Elevation | 6,511 ft (1,985 m) |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Entiat Ranger District |
Description
The Tyee Mountain Lookout made national headlines in the summer of 1994 when it reported the devastating Tyee Fire as a small lightning strike. The fire burned for weeks (180,000 acres) and the damage included 22 homes and the Tyee outhouse. The hip-roof L-4 14’ x 14’ groundhouse with catwalk was built in 1952 by the Wenatchee Nat. Forest.
On Feb. 8, 2013, Ken Jones reported: "I have been advised by the Entiat RD Fire Mgmt Officer that Tyee LO can not be used, even by volunteers, because the lightning protection system is apparently not up to code. Cost to upgrade the system would be several thousand dollars, which isn’t in their budgets. Therefore, there are no plans to utilize Tyee in the foreseeable future. Considering all the repair and maintenance work that has been done so far, this is a real shame."
On Feb. 8, 2013, Ken Jones reported: "I have been advised by the Entiat RD Fire Mgmt Officer that Tyee LO can not be used, even by volunteers, because the lightning protection system is apparently not up to code. Cost to upgrade the system would be several thousand dollars, which isn’t in their budgets. Therefore, there are no plans to utilize Tyee in the foreseeable future. Considering all the repair and maintenance work that has been done so far, this is a real shame."
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
View of Mott Creek fire from interior (photo courtesy Ken Jones)
Photo courtesy Ken Jones 2009
Photo courtesy Ken Jones 2009
Photo courtesy Ken Jones 2009
Visit Reports
July 30, 2011: Ken Jones
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | No Response |
| Good condition? | No Response |
| Comments: | As noted earlier, the roof is brand new cedar shake; foundation is new; two broken windows. Most windows need caulking. New shutters built and painted should be installed August 2011 (new shutters built last year were destroyed when the FS work center at Steliko burned down). Still needs paint and repair/paint of stairs. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | The road (FS 5713) is rough and rocky but all kinds of vehicles have made it to the top. Slow, careful driving is required. Awesome views. Two geocaches located nearby. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Staffed by volunteers.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
July 21, 2011: Bob and Susan Adler
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | No Response |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | No Response |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | 3 shutters are broken and off. one window broken out, one cracked, many need putty repaired. Paint peeling everywhere. Roof is new!!!! Historic Lookout registry sign there, lookout sign and elevation missing. One 2x12 stair broken. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | there is a repeater at the lookout. |
| Other enroachments? | outhouse floor crumbling...needs concrete and throne reattached. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
contact is jsmothers@fs.fed.us; I am told he allows volunteer staff and assistance, but have not yet contacted him.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
August 3, 2010: Ken Jones
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | No Response |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | No Response |
| Good condition? | No Response |
| Comments: | The cab has had some improvements over the past 3 years, such as new foundation, new catwalk and roof. However, it desperately needs paint, interior and exterior. The steps also need paint, possibly replacement. Still a broken window from last year. 3 shutters are missing, although FS has told me they have been built and are just waiting for the opportunity to install them (fire season is in full swing now). There is keen interest in the district to fix up the lookout, but time is the limiting factor. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | There is a blank sign post at the lookout. One visitor asked me what the name of the lookout was (he didn't even have a map with him). No signs at the road junctions. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
This lookout is staffed by volunteers. FS employees staff during lightning activity if no volunteers available. Too bad this lookout isn't staffed by full time personnel like it used to. During the week I was there (7/24 to 8/1/2010) there was a lot of lightning and I reported 10 fires.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
A couple of volunteers could probably get the lookout completely painted in a couple of days. Somebody good with window glazing is needed--the glass is at the lookout.
|