Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout

This was SUCH a great trip! It was a bit smoky from the Park fire, but the lookout wasn't in the smoke most of the time, just the surrounding area. We had great views most of the time too, although even Shasta disappeared for a day. The lookout itself is really cozy, and provided shade throughout the day. As others have said, the lookout does get hot inside, even with the two windows and door open, but sitting in a camp chair in the shade was great. If you have a dog and keep a water dish outside, just know that it will be full of bees drinking from it too, which we were fine with. The proximity to Medicine lake was awesome! Just a short drive to a beautiful little lake. :)

This was SUCH a great trip! It was a bit smoky from the Park fire, but the lookout wasn't in the smoke most of the time, just the surrounding area. We had great views most of the time too, although even Shasta disappeared for a day. The lookout itself is really cozy, and provided shade throughout the day. As others have said, the lookout does get hot inside, even with the two windows and door open, but sitting in a camp chair in the shade was great. If you have a dog and keep a water dish outside, just know that it will be full of bees drinking from it too, which we were fine with. The proximity to Medicine lake was awesome! Just a short drive to a beautiful little lake. :)

This is a fine lookout/cabin albeit a tad pricey in comparison to other lookouts that are offered. It is very basic - no lights, water, sink, heat except for a wood stove, which by the way, seems to be working now. The weather was on the warm side so I didn't test it. The two beds are good with OK mattresses. The outhouse is fairly decent - no odors. The flies can be a problem. Although the yellow jackets weren't a big problem for me I still brought a baited trap with me per the warnings from other reviews, and I caught about 60 of them so they weren't as annoying as they could have been. The two windows that open with screens are not quite enough to really get air flowing so I left the door open and of course the flies and yellow jackets came in but by dusk they were gone. They just bounce against the windows and the noise can be bothersome but that's it.

My first night there was smoke coming in from the Park Fire but by my second day the northern area of the state was clear enough to give some great views. I came in via Medicine Lake and left via Glass Mountain - both roads are very good and 4 wheel drive is not needed. I went to Medicine Lake to get water.

And the views! Beyond compare. I did have two sets of visitors while I was there each day - all very friendly and only there for 10 minutes at a time.

This is a fine lookout/cabin albeit a tad pricey in comparison to other lookouts that are offered. It is very basic - no lights, water, sink, heat except for a wood stove, which by the way, seems to be working now. The weather was on the warm side so I didn't test it. The two beds are good with OK mattresses. The outhouse is fairly decent - no odors. The flies can be a problem. Although the yellow jackets weren't a big problem for me I still brought a baited trap with me per the warnings from other reviews, and I caught about 60 of them so they weren't as annoying as they could have been. The two windows that open with screens are not quite enough to really get air flowing so I left the door open and of course the flies and yellow jackets came in but by dusk they were gone. They just bounce against the windows and the noise can be bothersome but that's it.

My first night there was smoke coming in from the Park Fire but by my second day the northern area of the state was clear enough to give some great views. I came in via Medicine Lake and left via Glass Mountain - both roads are very good and 4 wheel drive is not needed. I went to Medicine Lake to get water.

And the views! Beyond compare. I did have two sets of visitors while I was there each day - all very friendly and only there for 10 minutes at a time.

Well we ended up staying during the cool rainy period from hurricane Hillary, so Monday and Tuesday were cold and damp, so have the woodstove inoperable was a sad thing indeed. It was 48 degrees when we arrive
On Monday! Look out in good repair. The beds are in good repair but hard for our liking, so we’re glad we brought our pads. No dishes or any other utensils often found in lookouts, so almost were caught short there. Bathroom clean and non smelly. Large table for games ect and 3
Wooden chairs. There is a gate now that we locked after
Entering, so no surprise tours or visitors at all. Generally a great place and late Tuesday and Wednesday morning when the clouds cleared, there were great stars and views all around!

Well we ended up staying during the cool rainy period from hurricane Hillary, so Monday and Tuesday were cold and damp, so have the woodstove inoperable was a sad thing indeed. It was 48 degrees when we arrive
On Monday! Look out in good repair. The beds are in good repair but hard for our liking, so we’re glad we brought our pads. No dishes or any other utensils often found in lookouts, so almost were caught short there. Bathroom clean and non smelly. Large table for games ect and 3
Wooden chairs. There is a gate now that we locked after
Entering, so no surprise tours or visitors at all. Generally a great place and late Tuesday and Wednesday morning when the clouds cleared, there were great stars and views all around!

This was the first time my family stayed in a lookout and we would definitely return. Almost full 360 views, and a completely full view of Mt. Shasta was impressive. We brought a large surplus of water in 7gal jugs, and a canopy was perfect for needed shade during the day. Next time, we'll bring battery powered fans to pull air into the lookout building since there are two windows that stay open but are small and don't allow air circulation during the day (it gets kind of hot inside). There were a good amount of honeybees and bumble bees around the site, so be prepared if that's a big issue. None of my family got stung. Also, the McCloud ranger station is closed Saturday through Mondays, so you need to check-in at the Shasta one, or get the code days prior- the recording on the call is inaccurate. Beds were comfortable and there was still room for a cot and the rest of our camping stuff (coolers, luggage, etc.)

This was the first time my family stayed in a lookout and we would definitely return. Almost full 360 views, and a completely full view of Mt. Shasta was impressive. We brought a large surplus of water in 7gal jugs, and a canopy was perfect for needed shade during the day. Next time, we'll bring battery powered fans to pull air into the lookout building since there are two windows that stay open but are small and don't allow air circulation during the day (it gets kind of hot inside). There were a good amount of honeybees and bumble bees around the site, so be prepared if that's a big issue. None of my family got stung. Also, the McCloud ranger station is closed Saturday through Mondays, so you need to check-in at the Shasta one, or get the code days prior- the recording on the call is inaccurate. Beds were comfortable and there was still room for a cot and the rest of our camping stuff (coolers, luggage, etc.)

Recreation.gov info needs updated. McCloud ranger station is closed sun-mon. Should give an alternative ranger station /phone no to call sun-mon. There was no mop on site. This is needed at a minimum to clean up spills! At $75+/nite some basics s/be provided. Renters s/be forewarned on days when organized groups will come on site. We had an organized group of 50+ visit & it sounds like they visit every year so this c/be coordinated!

Recreation.gov info needs updated. McCloud ranger station is closed sun-mon. Should give an alternative ranger station /phone no to call sun-mon. There was no mop on site. This is needed at a minimum to clean up spills! At $75+/nite some basics s/be provided. Renters s/be forewarned on days when organized groups will come on site. We had an organized group of 50+ visit & it sounds like they visit every year so this c/be coordinated!