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Pine Mountain Lookout

[Graphic]: A Fire Lookout. The lookout was originally constructed in 1933, after lumber mills in the Van Arsdale area were destroyed by fires. The nearby lookout on Sanhedrin Mountain was unable to detect these fires until they were quite large. To remedy this situation, Pine Mountain lookout was built to protect the mills. The lookout has a view of 180° to the west, northwest. This limited view is unusual among lookouts, which usually have a visibility of 360°.

Samuel Henry was the first lookout at Pine Mountain. While most lookouts had to pack by horse or mule to their job site, Mr. Henry was able to drive his Model "A" Ford up to the structure. The Henry family spent several summers at the lookout. Samuel was a carpenter and he completed the interior work of the lookout, as well as helping construct some of the out buildings, including a garage to protect his car. The Henry boys had the job of carrying water from a nearby spring to the lookout.

The lookout was staffed intermittently through the mid 1940s from spring until late fall. The lookout employee made a twice-daily check-in by phone or radio. Antenna trees, insulators and wire from the phone are still visible south of the lookout. During World War II, Pine Mountain Lookout served as part of an aircraft defense monitoring system that extended throughout California. The increase of roads in the area coupled with growing technology caused the lookout to be abandoned in 1945.

Because of the quality of its workmanship, its unusual 180° view, and its association with state level patterns of fire history, Pine Mountain Lookout was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Restoration work began shortly after that.

The lookout is currently accessible to modern day vehicles, but it is necessary to bring your own water and pack out your own garbage when renting the lookout. Some other items you will need to bring with you are food, cooking utensils, bedrolls, pillows and warm evening clothes. The bunk bed has metal springs there are no box springs or mattresses. Please remember this site is rustic. The rental fees will help complete the restoration, and maintain the lookout.

Thank you, and we hope you enjoy your visit.

Pine Mountain Lookout Reservation Information:

Rental of this facility is by reservations only. Reservations cannot be accepted more than six months in advance and must be at least 30 calendar days prior to stay. The Lookout is available during the summer months and reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.
Rental of this facility will be under Special Use Permit FS-2700-2e, Government Owned Buildings.
Group size will be limited to no more than 6 persons at one time. No overnight camping is permitted within the administrative site outside the rental lookout building.
The minimum stay is two nights and the maximum is 7 days. The cost is $50.00 per night. Check in time is 2 pm; check out time is 12:00 noon.
Permittee will be responsible to report loss or damage of items provided at the lookout and report any use of first aid kit or fire extinguisher.
Permittee is responsible to leave the lookout and surrounding areas clean.
Fires are only allowed in the provided fire ring and pedestal grill unless prohibited by fire restrictions. All fire must be attended at all times and extinguished before retiring for the night as well as before leaving the site at any time.
No smoking or open flames are allowed in any of the buildings.
Primary access routes will be signed at major road junctions leading to the lookout and a map will be provided.
The locks on the gate and lookout door have combination locks. The combination will be given to the renter at the time the permit is executed.
Facilities at the lookout include: Dining table with chairs, pedestal grill, broom, mop, bucket, smoke alarm, fire ring, sink, shovel/mcleod, touch lights (7), porta-pottie, one bunk bed and four cots, fire extinguisher, picnic table, cabinets, pantry and a first aid kit.

(Page Modified 6/12/08 )

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