Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Clear Lake Lookout - Oregon

Mt. Hood National Forest

History

The original lookout was built by the Forest Service in 1932, and was on a 100 foot tower. In 1962 it was replaced with the present lookout. The lookout is an "R-6 Flat Top" style cabin, a design introduced in 1953 as the last generation of fire lookouts in the region. The design, which includes a flat, tarred roof, originated in the Pacific Northwest and was designed to alleviate costs and hazards associated with re shingling the roofs typical of earlier style lookouts. Window shutters, a feature of earlier lookouts, were eliminated in this new design, and an extra foot of dimension added over previous lookouts (15 x 15 ft.). These newer lookouts used plywood as a construction element, another new feature.

Description

The cabin is atop a 40 foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk. The 14 x 14 foot room is furnished with a small, single bed, a wood stove for heating, and a table and chair, and is equipped with a propane cook stove and a solar lighting system. There is no water on site; visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. An outhouse is located near by, as well as a shed stocked with firewood.

Area Attractions & Activities

At an elevation of 4,454 feet, Clear Lake Lookout is a winter sport enthusiast’s dream. Enjoy cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling.

Amenities

• Outhouse
• Wood Stove
• Propane Stove
• Solar Lighting

There is an additional space for tent camping.

Pets

Pets are welcome.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

Access begins at junction Highway 26 and Forest Service Road (FSR) 42, the Skyline Sno-Park. Visitors park at the Sno-Park and ski, snowshoe or snowmobile into the facility. From the parking area, proceed on FSR 42 to the 240 spur road and on to the lookout, approximately 3.2 miles. This is a good ski for moderate skiers and will take three and a half to four hours.

Warning

Be prepared for extreme weather conditions. Visitors should be experienced in back country travel and survival skills. The height of the cabin and the open catwalk pose serious risks for children and pets. The steps and catwalk can become quite slippery due to rain, snow and ice, and the tower may sway in strong winds.