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Clear Lake Cabin Lookout is situated on the southern slope of Mt. Hood, providing spectacular panorama views of snow-covered treetops, alpine lakes and rugged Cascade peaks. It also provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, as well as winter sports. The lookout can only be accessed by skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing up to 4 miles from a parking area at the Skyline Sno-Park. A Sno-Park permit is required to park there and the trek takes about three to four hours. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation The surrounding area is popular among winter sports enthusiasts, as it offers access to miles of great cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. A ski tour is available around the spring-fed Little Crater Lake. Fishing is available in the various mountain lakes and streams, however, many may be frozen. Facilities The cabin is atop a 40-foot tower and is surrounded by a wooden catwalk. The 14-by-14 room is furnished with a small bed, a wood stove for heating and a table and chairs. It has a propane cook stove and solar-powered lights. There is no water on-site. An outhouse with vault toilets is located on the ground, 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. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own bedding, food and clothing, towels, toilet paper, among other necessities. Garbage bags are also not supplied and guests will need to carry out all trash and clean the facility prior to leaving. Natural Features The tower sits on Clear Lake Butte, a 4,454-foot gently sloped hillside covered with fir trees, on the south side of Mt. Hood. Of the nine peaks in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. Hood stands the tallest, at 11,239 feet. It is thickly forested and capped with glaciers and snow. The lookout tower is perched on the mountainside, near the northwest corner of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. It is one of three Forest Service watchtowers on Mt. Hood and it is still used to spot fires during summertime each year. Originally 100 feet tall when it was built in 1932, the tower was replaced with the current 40-foot building in 1962. It overlooks Clear Lake and Timothy Lake in the distance. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area. ADA Access: N
Access begins at the junction of Highway 26 and Forest Service Road 42, 12 miles south of Government Camp, Oregon, at the Skyline Sno-Park. Guests must park and the Sno-Park and ski, snowshoe or snowmobile to the facility. From the parking area, proceed on Forest Service Road 42 to the 240 spur road and continue to the lookout, approximately 3.2 miles with an elevation climb of 900 feet. It is a good path for moderate skiers and will take three-and-a-half to four hours to complete. Maps are available online or for purchase by calling the Barlow Ranger District.
Guests will need to purchase a Sno-Park permit to park at Skyline Sno-Park. Permits can be purchased at several locations in the Portland area, or at CJ's on Highway 26, west of the intersection of Highway 26 and Forest Service Road 42.
The lookout is available during winter months, from Nov. 1 to May 31. The maximum length stay is seven consecutive nights. Fees are used for the maintenance and preservation of the lookout.
It was one of the most special experiences when visiting Oregon in 2015. Hope this place stays here for long!
A truly unique experience. Great hike in, views can be incredible (but watch out for crazy winds and rain). I really enjoyed the camping experiences but my car was broken into, so that really takes away from the good memories. Be wary of camping remotely, people are jerks.
Note: review is not based upon renting/staying in the lookout. The lookout is a great destination while hiking within the Skyline Sno-Park trail system. Lookout has great views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson.
You can rent the working fire lookout at Clear Lake Butte during the winter months at recreation.gov. Lookout has a clean outhouse (but wasn't stocked with toilet paper) on premise, along with a storage shed. Lookout includes a wood stove for heat.
One of the best outdoor experiences around! Very affordable. What's better than staying in an actual fire tower. Best views and a clean, comfortable way to immerse in nature without "roughing it". Outhouse and firewood provided (fun crate and pulley system to get your stuff up) . Wood fire stove and pots, pans, plates and the rest provided. Full Size bed, so bring sheets. Those that go, leave it cleaner than they found it 😉.
Pro tip: be on the lookout for little loot stashes... It's a tradition to hide a little something for the next visitors to find and enjoy🙂. Don't forget to browse and add an entry to the visitors log book. Highly recommended!
The hike was great, a little challenging on the way up but the end was worth it. Wish the top of the lookout was unlocked to public but still a beautiful view! The walk down was quick and easy. So beautiful! Went on a Friday and saw a handful of snowmobilers, didn't bother us at all! Snowshoes are helpful right now but not necessary.
