What better way to start and end a Sunday than with complementary sunrise and sunset hikes to fire lookouts?
High Rock is not only the highest and loftiest point on the Sawtooth Ridge of Gifford Pinchot National Forest, but it’s also #45 on Washington’s list of peaks with 2,000′ of prominence. It’s short approach makes it popular, especially amongst families, but use caution at the top. The summit is a sheer cliff and vertigo-inducing.
Unfortunately, today, the lookout itself is not much more than a bench on top of a platform.
The original structure was built in 1929, taking 31 days to assemble with materials brought in by pack mule from Mineral, WA. Along the trail is a plaque dedicated to Johnnie T. Peters, who managed this pack team and also helped construct 10 other lookouts in the Mineral, Packwood, and Randle districts.
In 2001, High Rock was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register but in 2004, the structure fell into disrepair, mostly at the hands of vandals.
The lookout cabin was disassembled in July 2021 and removed to a Forest Service facility where the original materials will be repaired, reconditioned, and readied for reconstruction. The goal is to rebuild the lookout in 2023 and have it staffed by volunteers by 2024.
Until then, its still worth the climb, the views from the top are still magnificent. |