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The Heybrook Lookout sits atop its namesake ridge at 1,700 feet. The lookout itself rises 67 feet above the ridgeline and provides spectacular views of breathtaking glacial peaks surrounding the valley. The first Heybrook fire lookout was a simple tent platform built in 1925. The Forest Service replaced it seven years later with a 45-foot log leg tower, with a ground-level cabin intended as sleeping quarters for fire rangers; however, rampant rodents eventually drove the rangers up into the tower where they lived until a 67-foot lookout was built in 1964. Heybrook Lookout is one of only 106 lookouts left in Washington State.
Hiking, birding and wildlife viewing are popular activities around the lookout.
The 14 x14-ft. lookout cabin sleeps four and is furnished with one twin-sized bed with mattress, two additional floor mattresses, a table and chairs, propane stove, pot, pan, silverware, coffee pot and battery operated lanterns. A primitive vault toilet is located several hundred feet down the ridge from the lookout. There is a picnic table at the bottom of the tower. There is no water at the site. Guests must bring water for drinking, cooking and washing. Guests must also bring flashlights, sleeping bags, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving
On a clear day, guests at Heybrook Lookout see views of Mount Index and Bridal Veil Falls, Mount Baring, Mount Persis and the Wild Sky Wilderness.
Wildlife is abundant, and guests may catch a glimpse of black bears, bobcat, elk or bald eagle. Wolves are making a comeback to the area, but they are usually heard and not seen.
For facility specific information, please call (360) 677-2414.
Deception Falls Picnic Area, Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls hikes, and the Iron Goat historic interpretive trail.
Drive U.S. 2 for 2 miles east of the town of Index, just past milepost 37. Limited parking for the trailhead is located on the north side of the highway across from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest sign.
From the trailhead, it is a 1 mile hike to the lookout with an elevation gain of 900 feet. Tenants must climb 84 steps in order to reach the main cabin.
Nice short trail with good views. Walking up the tower is fun.
Amazing hike with amazing views! It is all uphill so be advised of that! It is about 2.6 miles round trip, but that uphill is killer! Lol definitely worth it once you reach the top and get to climb the lookout tower! Gorgeous views to see! And The walk down is super easy! Lol lots of nature to see- rocks , mountains, trees etc! Great hike for kids, adults and pets!
The hike to get to the lookout tower is incredibly beautiful. Not a hard hike, we did it with our 3 kids (2-4-7 years) and they did great! Took us less about 2 hours to get back to the car, so perfect for doing this job the morning and then going for lunch! There are lots of mushrooms there, stop to see as much as we could! We loved it!!! Great please for foliage watching too
What a short, steep but fun hike! We came on the first Sunday of October afternoon, able to find few parking spots available, people kept coming up and parking was full when we left at about 4pm. Saw many families with small kids on this hike, they had fun playing with the gray jays at the bottom of the lookout. There was toilet and picnic table at the lookout area as well. It was fun and little scary to climb up the stairs to the top deck. The lookout cabin was reserved so we couldn't visit. Some mountain view at the top, nothing too impressive.
This is an easy hike, took us about 35minutes to go up. Some points are steep. There’s not much space on the tower. So would recommend going early otherwise it gets crowded.
