Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Fivemile Butte Lookout - Oregon

Mt. Hood National Forest

History

The original lookout was established by the Forest Service in the 1920s, and was just a small cab on a 30 foot pole tower. In 1932 a standard L-4 lookout was built to replace the earlier lookout, but was destroyed by heavy snow in 1942. A non-typical L-4 replacement was rebuilt. In 1957 it was replace by the present R-6 Flat Top style lookout.

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. A rope and pulley system is available to transport gear, as well as firewood, up and down the tower with ease. There is also a fire ring for campfires and barbecuing on site.

Area Attractions & Activities

In the summer months, enjoy hiking and mountain biking and the gorgeous view. The lookout is near Eightmile Creek (the pioneer wagon road crossed the creek about eight miles from The Dalles). Eightmile Trail (which ties into the Bottle Prairie Trail for a short distance) travels through and around a riparian area, old clear-cut, dense second growth, and old growth Ponderosa Pine, and features views and wildflowers.

Winter sport activities include skiing, snowshoeing 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

Follow Forest Service Road (FSR) 44 to junction of FSR 4430 and turn right. At FSR 4430-120 turn left and follow to spur 122. At the gate follow FSR 122 to the end. The route is approximately 3 miles long and marked with orange and blue diamond-shaped blazers.

During winter months, visitors must park at the Billy Bob Sno-Park (at the junction of FSR 44 and FS4 4430), and ski approximately four hours to the lookout, a good ski for moderate skiers. Be prepared for extreme weather conditions.