By:
Submission
This hike is very difficult and strenuous, and the last half mile of the trail requires mountain climbing equipment and expertise. You must traverse a short, steep section of the Three Fingers Glacier, make a rocky scramble and ascend steep ladders to the lookout on the south peak of Three Fingers Mountain. As there is considerable exposure, those using the cabin and ladder must determine if the climb to the lookout is safe.
Snow blocks access to our lookouts until mid- to late summer. Some are rented or staffed with volunteers who have exclusive overnight occupancy. Lookouts that are not staffed or available for rental are available to visitors on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information check with your nearest ranger district office or online at www.recreation.gov.
Tips for overnight use
Bring sleeping bags, food, water, lanterns and fuel. Winchester Lookout furnishes a propane stove. Parties of more than two people will need extra sleeping pads at all lookouts except Hidden Lake, which has extra pads under the beds. Bring a tent in case your destination lookout is already occupied by others.
Two nights are the recommended maximum stay.
Detailed instructions for shelter operation, lookout facilities, water sources and toilet locations can be found posted inside each building.
Move gasoline stoves and laterns outside the building to fill and start them.
The lookouts are prone to rodents, so please take precautions to keep the lookout clean and store food in the rodent-proof containers provided.
Pack out all garbage.
Toilets may be available at some lookouts. If not, please pack it out.
Replenish any supplies you use or send a donation to the organization responsible for the maintenance of the lookout.
Volunteer work parties have priority at lookout shelters. A notice will be posted at the trailhead if a work party will be present. Two or three work party weekends are held per year at each lookout.
From the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls, WA), travel west on the Mt. Loop Highway for 3.9 miles. Turn right (north) on the Tupso Pass Road (Forest Service road 41) and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead.
NO FLAT WHITE. Very disappointing to climb for two days just to realise that there is no coffee shop. Plus, there was no wifi, so I couldn't post topless photos with the view in the background. Very disapointing.
If you haven't backpacked, camped rough, ever before in your life, it is best to get some practice elsewhere before attempting this hike. If you're inexperienced but fit and believe you can do this, then go with people experienced in backpacking and hiking.
If you are motivated to go here for that instagram Photo-op, let me save you the trouble and time. You won't make it here. This is not a place for insta-trash. It takes bigger motivation to succeed here than just the silly urge to click selfies.
7.22.23 40FT steep snow crossing，no fall zone. Moat is not fully open yet. I did not use crampons. Just do it slow….Amazing place.
Looks like the place where Arthur Morgan was buried, definitely we see where Red Dead Redemption Rockstar Games based their games off real life high lands
This is Washington’s most remote fire lookout. It is a challenging and arduous task to make it, but the reward is awesome! You will have amazing views of the cascades and several volcanoes. Did a car to car hike, 14.5 hours and 32.5 miles. About 7k gain. Good luck, have fun, leave no trace. Lots of bees and beehives right now.
