Thorny Mountain Fire Tower
US 63, WV 2
May 2012 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 63, WV 2 (view other lookouts in United States, West Virginia) |
| Date Registered | June 3, 1993 |
| Nominated by | Ralph P. Glover, Jr., WV Division of Forestry |
| Location |
Seneca State Forest Pocahontas County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 38° 18.793' W 079° 56.742' (view using Google Maps) N 38° 18' 48" W 079° 56' 45" N 38.313210° W 079.945699° |
| Elevation | 3,385 ft (1,032 m) |
| Built | 1935 |
| Administered by | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources |
| Cooperators | Seneca State Forest |
| Available for Rental | Yes, learn more |
Description
Originally built in the 1920s by the CCC on the eastern side of Seneca State Forest, Thorny Mountain Fire Tower was reconstructed to its present location in 1935 to provide better coverage of the Greenbrier River valley. The 53’ steel tower with 12x12 live-in wooden cab and catwalk is one-of-a-kind in West Virginia.
In 2015, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources completed a renovation of the tower and began permitting overnight rentals.
In 2015, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources completed a renovation of the tower and began permitting overnight rentals.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
July 2018 view from tower
July 2018 photo from second landing
July 2018 view from tower
July 2018 photo of locked access to cab deck
July 2018 view of cab underside
Visit Reports
July 31, 2015: Walter Lane Jr.
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The tower was renovated in 2015 and is available for nightly rental from Seneca State Forest . I stayed there for 2 nights and it was great ! |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The tower site is easily accessed by vehicle although it may require four wheel drive during wet or snowy periods . |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |