Winchester Mountain Lookout [Suggest Edits]

Description

Winchester Mountain Lookout sits 6,521 feet above sea level. This lookout is over a hundred years old, built in the wake of the Big Burn of 1910 (3,000,000 acres burned in ID,WA,MT, BC, and WY). Many lookouts similar to this were built all over the U.S., by the Forest Service in a vow for zero fire tolerance—a policy we all know didn't work out. The lookouts that are left now stand as silent sentinels, a reminder of a time past. This lookout offers an extraordinary view of Canada, Twin Lakes, Peaceful Valley, and much more. You can even stay in the lookout during the summer season, on a first come first serve basis. Staying in a lookout is a super awesome experience, an opportunity to sleep back in time.

Half-Day Run: Access via the Winchester Mountain trail. This trail is an easy one in the summer. However from late September-early June you have to have crampons, ice axes, and potentially ropes to scale the mountain. In the off season be prepared to run an extra 2 miles in if the road is blocked, and you have to park at the Tomyhoi Lake Trail.

Gem Type: Viewpoint