Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

The fantastic unique experience of staying overnight at Mestaa'e'hehe Fire Tower, is incomparable to this outdoor fanatic. The following are mostly disappointments, for the purpose of a shorter read and correction by the USFS. It was not disappointing. Forget about it being relaxing. The last day of Feb. we were climbing up the last stretch of rocks to the structure, as the sun went behind the mountains. With nothing to buffer the wind, and change in temp., we more less had to keep low to the ground because our backpacks were caught by the wind. The toilet is a steep decent and a rope is essential, in the dark with the wind blowing, it was a bummer to find the rope broken. There was no way to get down the final 4 ft.. Also, not having used an incinerating toilet before, there are several steps that should be posted in the tower, finding out later that there is a pull chain for a light - all very important for the female gender. We rightly chose to sleep up top, and loved the stars, city lights, wind and sunrise. Lastly, there are many visitors in the morning, and no clear boundaries as to where their adventure is diverted, and where your private experience begins. In other words, they made the hike and they plan to walk around the upper deck. We humbly suggest a sign at the shooting range gate that says the Tower is occupied until 12p daily and that hikers please respect a 20 ft perimeter around the structure with the exception of 12p-3p. We have waited and tried for 3 years to make this trip. The 3 of us, hands down, would do it all again. It was incredible.

The fantastic unique experience of staying overnight at Mestaa'e'hehe Fire Tower, is incomparable to this outdoor fanatic. The following are mostly disappointments, for the purpose of a shorter read and correction by the USFS. It was not disappointing. Forget about it being relaxing. The last day of Feb. we were climbing up the last stretch of rocks to the structure, as the sun went behind the mountains. With nothing to buffer the wind, and change in temp., we more less had to keep low to the ground because our backpacks were caught by the wind. The toilet is a steep decent and a rope is essential, in the dark with the wind blowing, it was a bummer to find the rope broken. There was no way to get down the final 4 ft.. Also, not having used an incinerating toilet before, there are several steps that should be posted in the tower, finding out later that there is a pull chain for a light - all very important for the female gender. We rightly chose to sleep up top, and loved the stars, city lights, wind and sunrise. Lastly, there are many visitors in the morning, and no clear boundaries as to where their adventure is diverted, and where your private experience begins. In other words, they made the hike and they plan to walk around the upper deck. We humbly suggest a sign at the shooting range gate that says the Tower is occupied until 12p daily and that hikers please respect a 20 ft perimeter around the structure with the exception of 12p-3p. We have waited and tried for 3 years to make this trip. The 3 of us, hands down, would do it all again. It was incredible.

Loved my time at the lookout! It pretty much has everything you need except for water. The downstairs is a lot warmer than upstairs but there's some really beautiful views! The bathroom's little challenge to get to And I wish they had put the lock Box for beatbox for the key and a little better position to get to. Little tricky when it's cold and frozen, but it's a lovely little get away! Thanks!

Loved my time at the lookout! It pretty much has everything you need except for water. The downstairs is a lot warmer than upstairs but there's some really beautiful views! The bathroom's little challenge to get to And I wish they had put the lock Box for beatbox for the key and a little better position to get to. Little tricky when it's cold and frozen, but it's a lovely little get away! Thanks!

The views from here are everything you could hope for! The building is 2 stories with full 360 windows and 2 beds upstairs on the upper level and a lower level with a small window, bunk beds, and a full functional kitchen but no running water. Note that the upstairs windows are single pane plexiglass and therefore it's not very warm after dark, especially when the wind is howling. During our visit in January, the wind was blowing so hard at night that I could see the windows deflecting. So plan on bringing warm clothes and warm bedding/sleeping bag. The lower floor is warmer. If you want to experience something unique and enjoy endless views, this is the place for you! Would recommend.

The views from here are everything you could hope for! The building is 2 stories with full 360 windows and 2 beds upstairs on the upper level and a lower level with a small window, bunk beds, and a full functional kitchen but no running water. Note that the upstairs windows are single pane plexiglass and therefore it's not very warm after dark, especially when the wind is howling. During our visit in January, the wind was blowing so hard at night that I could see the windows deflecting. So plan on bringing warm clothes and warm bedding/sleeping bag. The lower floor is warmer. If you want to experience something unique and enjoy endless views, this is the place for you! Would recommend.

Such an awesome place to stay!! Definitely bring warm clothes as it gets chilly, but the views are worth it!

Such an awesome place to stay!! Definitely bring warm clothes as it gets chilly, but the views are worth it!

We visited early January. Wonderful accommodations. There are two beds in the top unit and two bunks in the bottom unit. The kitchen was supplied with a stove, microwave, and coffee maker as well as a decent variety of useful dishes and utensils. The heaters worked great thankfully but we were also prepared for extreme cold temperatures and were surprised by the mild conditions. It was insanely windy at night. The structure was very stable but the wind was so loud. The incinerator toilet is not an easy venture especially in the winter months. We brought snow shoes and they were overkill for the hike. I can’t wait to get back. Booking is the most difficult part because of the lack of availability.

We visited early January. Wonderful accommodations. There are two beds in the top unit and two bunks in the bottom unit. The kitchen was supplied with a stove, microwave, and coffee maker as well as a decent variety of useful dishes and utensils. The heaters worked great thankfully but we were also prepared for extreme cold temperatures and were surprised by the mild conditions. It was insanely windy at night. The structure was very stable but the wind was so loud. The incinerator toilet is not an easy venture especially in the winter months. We brought snow shoes and they were overkill for the hike. I can’t wait to get back. Booking is the most difficult part because of the lack of availability.