Granite Butte Lookout

The entire experience was memorable and adventurous. The structure has been soundly kept and maintained, the wood stove warmed the place splendidly, and with many items already in place (e.g propane stove, axe, etc) made ease of what little to pack. I also liked that a supply of would was already in the LO and down below and a tradition of prior occupants restocking the wood supply for the next. I/we can’t wait for our next visit! Thank you to all who have helped to maintain this living structure of historic value. Cheers, Kai, Kir, and Lucky

The entire experience was memorable and adventurous. The structure has been soundly kept and maintained, the wood stove warmed the place splendidly, and with many items already in place (e.g propane stove, axe, etc) made ease of what little to pack. I also liked that a supply of would was already in the LO and down below and a tradition of prior occupants restocking the wood supply for the next. I/we can’t wait for our next visit! Thank you to all who have helped to maintain this living structure of historic value. Cheers, Kai, Kir, and Lucky

I love fire lookouts, and have frequently visited another one that's harder to access. Granite Butte was a great experience to share with family members that can't make the hike into more remote lookouts. Gorgeous views, dry firewood, clean bathroom. It is as windy as everyone said. Access road was very dry and drive-able in mid-June after an average to above-average snow year.

Now for the bad: I've lived in Montana my entire life and never experienced something like this outdoors. Sometime Friday night, someone intentionally felled about five trees over the access road. A small grey pickup truck without a topper came up to the lookout that night at about 9 PM, we waved and got no response. We figured they just lived nearby and came up for the cell service with a view, but in retrospect it could've been the chainsaw chimp seeing if anyone was up there. Luckily we had a pocket saw and there were able-bodied people in the group. But whoever did this should consider what would happen if a cabin resident had a health emergency, or if they were elderly and couldn't get out. Drive-up cabins are more likely to be used by folks who don't have the means to clear a road or hike multiple miles. I can't imagine what would make an anonymous prank like this seem worth it. If nothing else, it's a waste of good firewood, now those trees will rot. This was an incredibly senseless and disappointing move, and I very much hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. That said, if you're up there and see someone acting weird, consider taking down their plate. The only part of this story that matches my experience with Montanans is that a local family had noticed the trees on Saturday morning and were on their way with a chainsaw as we finished with the last tree. More good people than bad out there. I hope that whoever cut those trees comes to appreciate nature and other people. Or gets the **** out of Montana and never comes back.

I love fire lookouts, and have frequently visited another one that's harder to access. Granite Butte was a great experience to share with family members that can't make the hike into more remote lookouts. Gorgeous views, dry firewood, clean bathroom. It is as windy as everyone said. Access road was very dry and drive-able in mid-June after an average to above-average snow year.

Now for the bad: I've lived in Montana my entire life and never experienced something like this outdoors. Sometime Friday night, someone intentionally felled about five trees over the access road. A small grey pickup truck without a topper came up to the lookout that night at about 9 PM, we waved and got no response. We figured they just lived nearby and came up for the cell service with a view, but in retrospect it could've been the chainsaw chimp seeing if anyone was up there. Luckily we had a pocket saw and there were able-bodied people in the group. But whoever did this should consider what would happen if a cabin resident had a health emergency, or if they were elderly and couldn't get out. Drive-up cabins are more likely to be used by folks who don't have the means to clear a road or hike multiple miles. I can't imagine what would make an anonymous prank like this seem worth it. If nothing else, it's a waste of good firewood, now those trees will rot. This was an incredibly senseless and disappointing move, and I very much hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. That said, if you're up there and see someone acting weird, consider taking down their plate. The only part of this story that matches my experience with Montanans is that a local family had noticed the trees on Saturday morning and were on their way with a chainsaw as we finished with the last tree. More good people than bad out there. I hope that whoever cut those trees comes to appreciate nature and other people. Or gets the **** out of Montana and never comes back.

We had a grand and stormy time at the lookout. There is a lot of wind on this high exposed ridge along the CDT. We had plenty of gales out of the west, rain, low clouds and limited visibility. We also had a few windows of blue sky, enough to hike from the tower, and views in to the Scapegoat section of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. At night lights from Helena, Great Falls and Missoula were visible. Granite Butte LO is accessible by vehicle in the summer, and it sits right on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, so expect visitors, especially on nice days. ATVs like to get to this exposed ridge for the views. There are many backpackers hiking the CDT. They are thrilled to meet folks, and love the sight of this grand structure. Generous folks have left some amenities to help make the place comfortable, but the bedding should be removed. If you like to hike, check out these one way routes in the area: Summit Granite Butte (@ 1 mile from the LO), drop down below Granite Butte to the Marsh Creek Road (2 miles), from the LO to Stemple Pass on the CDT (4 miles); set up a shuttle to hike Stemple Pass to Flesher Pass (11 miles), Flesher Pass to Rogers Pass over Anaconda Hill (13 miles), Rogers Pass to Lewis & Clark Pass & summit Green Mtn. (12 miles), Lewis & Clark Pass & down Alice Creek (a 10 mile loop) or set out to the base of Pyramid Peak In the Scapegoat (10 miles). The surrounding meadows are loaded with wildflowers. Enjoy this beautiful place, and take care of it for the future.

We had a grand and stormy time at the lookout. There is a lot of wind on this high exposed ridge along the CDT. We had plenty of gales out of the west, rain, low clouds and limited visibility. We also had a few windows of blue sky, enough to hike from the tower, and views in to the Scapegoat section of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. At night lights from Helena, Great Falls and Missoula were visible. Granite Butte LO is accessible by vehicle in the summer, and it sits right on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, so expect visitors, especially on nice days. ATVs like to get to this exposed ridge for the views. There are many backpackers hiking the CDT. They are thrilled to meet folks, and love the sight of this grand structure. Generous folks have left some amenities to help make the place comfortable, but the bedding should be removed. If you like to hike, check out these one way routes in the area: Summit Granite Butte (@ 1 mile from the LO), drop down below Granite Butte to the Marsh Creek Road (2 miles), from the LO to Stemple Pass on the CDT (4 miles); set up a shuttle to hike Stemple Pass to Flesher Pass (11 miles), Flesher Pass to Rogers Pass over Anaconda Hill (13 miles), Rogers Pass to Lewis & Clark Pass & summit Green Mtn. (12 miles), Lewis & Clark Pass & down Alice Creek (a 10 mile loop) or set out to the base of Pyramid Peak In the Scapegoat (10 miles). The surrounding meadows are loaded with wildflowers. Enjoy this beautiful place, and take care of it for the future.

Be prepared for weather (wind, ice, etc.). The structure vibrates in high wind, but we were convinced it would not collapse during our stay!

Be prepared for weather (wind, ice, etc.). The structure vibrates in high wind, but we were convinced it would not collapse during our stay!