Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

Excellent stay with amazing views. Heaters were plenty to keep the place warm in late May. Still, a handful of visitors came up to the firetower on a weekday, but the door that closes over the stairs kept them off the walkway. I will absolutely try to go back in the winter. Enough room to do yoga on the walkway outside, plenty of board games, and an incredible view kept us busy. Though fairly windy one night, we did not find the wind loud enough to keep us awake at night. 10/10

Excellent stay with amazing views. Heaters were plenty to keep the place warm in late May. Still, a handful of visitors came up to the firetower on a weekday, but the door that closes over the stairs kept them off the walkway. I will absolutely try to go back in the winter. Enough room to do yoga on the walkway outside, plenty of board games, and an incredible view kept us busy. Though fairly windy one night, we did not find the wind loud enough to keep us awake at night. 10/10

Most competitive reservation in Colorado & well worth it. Thursday March 28th I parked off the highway base due to the road to parking being snowed out. I started about 5:30 & got up to the top about 8pm & it was dusk. Realized quickly ice spikes were a bad choice & I really needed snowshoes this time of year. Could not have made it without poles with the snow trying to take me out constantly. There was only one other person on the trail on the way up. He was an elderly gentlemen with a dog that was kind enough to leave my ice spikes unknowingly eaten by the snow at the highway sign. What a good human.

Having only backpacked in RMPN during summer, I found the snowy switchback hike harder than expected. To be perfectly dramatic, I felt I had climbed Everest after that last, ungroomed scramble from the sign up to the firelookout. I had to throw my pack up to keep from sinking at some point. The heaters were a godsend & I was pleasantly surprised at the blankets, cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils & other luxuries left by other guests. With the wind howling & rattling the windows, I barely slept, but wanted those sunrise views. Worth it. I was able to boil snow for additional water. The bathroom was not accessible without breaking your neck on icy stairs. So be prepared if staying in the snowy months.

This was my first solo backpacking trip & glamping experience. I never want to backpack in a tent ever again after being spoiled. After 6 months of trying, I finally got a reservation due to a last minute cancellation. A nice family was on their way up on skis as I headed down in a snow storm Friday afternoon. This spot is perfect year round. Book it if you can!

Most competitive reservation in Colorado & well worth it. Thursday March 28th I parked off the highway base due to the road to parking being snowed out. I started about 5:30 & got up to the top about 8pm & it was dusk. Realized quickly ice spikes were a bad choice & I really needed snowshoes this time of year. Could not have made it without poles with the snow trying to take me out constantly. There was only one other person on the trail on the way up. He was an elderly gentlemen with a dog that was kind enough to leave my ice spikes unknowingly eaten by the snow at the highway sign. What a good human.

Having only backpacked in RMPN during summer, I found the snowy switchback hike harder than expected. To be perfectly dramatic, I felt I had climbed Everest after that last, ungroomed scramble from the sign up to the firelookout. I had to throw my pack up to keep from sinking at some point. The heaters were a godsend & I was pleasantly surprised at the blankets, cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils & other luxuries left by other guests. With the wind howling & rattling the windows, I barely slept, but wanted those sunrise views. Worth it. I was able to boil snow for additional water. The bathroom was not accessible without breaking your neck on icy stairs. So be prepared if staying in the snowy months.

This was my first solo backpacking trip & glamping experience. I never want to backpack in a tent ever again after being spoiled. After 6 months of trying, I finally got a reservation due to a last minute cancellation. A nice family was on their way up on skis as I headed down in a snow storm Friday afternoon. This spot is perfect year round. Book it if you can!

I am going to give you the lowdown I wish I had before spending the night here. I hiked up April 24, 2024 so this is accurate as of then. It took 1.5 hours to hike ~2 miles from the highway with heavy packs, but it would be even shorter without snow and the ability to drive further up the trail.

The tower itself has 2 floors that are separated by walking outside and doing a complete loop around the tower to get to the other half of it.

The lower level has a set of twin bunk beds, a sink for rinsing (NO running water) into a bucket, a working fridge, a working stove/oven combo, and other appliances I didn't test: microwave, coffee maker, kettle, toaster. There are pans for cooking, a small pot, metal silverware, cooking utensils, and plates (reusable and disposable). There are a few windows on the lower level, but the views are not nearly as awesome as the upper level. There are some folding chairs and a folding table as well.

Okay, so exit the lower level door, climb the stairs, and walk completely around the tower to get into the upper level room. The upper level has 2 separated twin beds (with pillows), a desk, a table with 2 chairs (plus 2 folding chairs), and a shelf with games/puzzles and a map of the area. There are 360 degree views from the windows (and zero curtains/privacy). Keep in mind that the tower is publicly accessed, and people can walk around outside the window area at any time. While I was there, I saw one couple + dogs but those were the only visitors (who came to experience sunset). The wind at 11,491' was a little nerve-wracking at night, and I was nervous people would be up on the walkway looking in at me while I was sleeping.

Both levels have electricity, overhead lights, wall heating units (the top level was ~60 degrees overnight in late April with the heat on max setting), and smoke detectors. It was quite pleasant "camping" weather!

The views from the upper level are incredible, and the sunset was insane. Definitely worth a visit!

I am going to give you the lowdown I wish I had before spending the night here. I hiked up April 24, 2024 so this is accurate as of then. It took 1.5 hours to hike ~2 miles from the highway with heavy packs, but it would be even shorter without snow and the ability to drive further up the trail.

The tower itself has 2 floors that are separated by walking outside and doing a complete loop around the tower to get to the other half of it.

The lower level has a set of twin bunk beds, a sink for rinsing (NO running water) into a bucket, a working fridge, a working stove/oven combo, and other appliances I didn't test: microwave, coffee maker, kettle, toaster. There are pans for cooking, a small pot, metal silverware, cooking utensils, and plates (reusable and disposable). There are a few windows on the lower level, but the views are not nearly as awesome as the upper level. There are some folding chairs and a folding table as well.

Okay, so exit the lower level door, climb the stairs, and walk completely around the tower to get into the upper level room. The upper level has 2 separated twin beds (with pillows), a desk, a table with 2 chairs (plus 2 folding chairs), and a shelf with games/puzzles and a map of the area. There are 360 degree views from the windows (and zero curtains/privacy). Keep in mind that the tower is publicly accessed, and people can walk around outside the window area at any time. While I was there, I saw one couple + dogs but those were the only visitors (who came to experience sunset). The wind at 11,491' was a little nerve-wracking at night, and I was nervous people would be up on the walkway looking in at me while I was sleeping.

Both levels have electricity, overhead lights, wall heating units (the top level was ~60 degrees overnight in late April with the heat on max setting), and smoke detectors. It was quite pleasant "camping" weather!

The views from the upper level are incredible, and the sunset was insane. Definitely worth a visit!

Such an amazing experience! I was so pleased with everything that was available for us to use, from the cleaning supplies to the pots and pans to cook with, we had everything we needed and more. Quite the boujee "backpacking" trip!

Such an amazing experience! I was so pleased with everything that was available for us to use, from the cleaning supplies to the pots and pans to cook with, we had everything we needed and more. Quite the boujee "backpacking" trip!

3-21-23
We were thankful that a Snowcat had packed 99% of the trail after our last big snowstorm. Walking within the packed tracks made it so that we only needed to use spikes to access the tower. I found gaiters to be helpful, especially during the last little stretch up to the tower inaccessible by Snowcat, but but snowshoes are not needed at this time.

The tower was in immaculate shape! Thanks to all of the renters before us who helped keep it that way! I had read some mildly concerning reviews before our trek up, so I was pretty much expecting the worst (smells, rodents, insects, peering strangers, etc.) but experienced none of that! According to the guest book, it seems like renters during warmer months experience these things more. We didn't see any mice, there were no funky smells, everything was nice and clean, including the fridge and stove. The kitchen area is well-stocked thanks to previous renters leaving essentials like salt, pepper, garlic powder, soap, paper goods and other cleaning items behind. There was a working microwave, coffee maker, and electric tea kettle. We did not need our jet boil, so it was nice to be able to save fuel there. We were very careful about what electronics we plugged in as to not trip any circuits, but we did not have any issues with the wall heater upstairs, an additional plugged in heater + a phone charger. The tower gets WINDY at night. I mean like REALLY windy. Think window slapping, bed shaking, howling, whistling wind. It was unnerving at first but with some earplugs and enough exhaustion I was able to fall asleep. The steps to the incinerating toilet are treacherous, but someone was kind enough to shovel their way down there and clear enough of a path for the rest of us. I'd think still bringing a trekking pole down there with you and/or spikes would be majorly helpful. I would not want to do that at night. The guest book is a hoot! Overall, a wonderful experience, I cannot wait to return to this magical place.

3-21-23
We were thankful that a Snowcat had packed 99% of the trail after our last big snowstorm. Walking within the packed tracks made it so that we only needed to use spikes to access the tower. I found gaiters to be helpful, especially during the last little stretch up to the tower inaccessible by Snowcat, but but snowshoes are not needed at this time.

The tower was in immaculate shape! Thanks to all of the renters before us who helped keep it that way! I had read some mildly concerning reviews before our trek up, so I was pretty much expecting the worst (smells, rodents, insects, peering strangers, etc.) but experienced none of that! According to the guest book, it seems like renters during warmer months experience these things more. We didn't see any mice, there were no funky smells, everything was nice and clean, including the fridge and stove. The kitchen area is well-stocked thanks to previous renters leaving essentials like salt, pepper, garlic powder, soap, paper goods and other cleaning items behind. There was a working microwave, coffee maker, and electric tea kettle. We did not need our jet boil, so it was nice to be able to save fuel there. We were very careful about what electronics we plugged in as to not trip any circuits, but we did not have any issues with the wall heater upstairs, an additional plugged in heater + a phone charger. The tower gets WINDY at night. I mean like REALLY windy. Think window slapping, bed shaking, howling, whistling wind. It was unnerving at first but with some earplugs and enough exhaustion I was able to fall asleep. The steps to the incinerating toilet are treacherous, but someone was kind enough to shovel their way down there and clear enough of a path for the rest of us. I'd think still bringing a trekking pole down there with you and/or spikes would be majorly helpful. I would not want to do that at night. The guest book is a hoot! Overall, a wonderful experience, I cannot wait to return to this magical place.