Granite Butte Lookout

Super windy and indescribably beautiful! Heading up in May required a ~4 mile hike from Stemple Pass, but it was worth it - total seclusion, only saw one friendly dirt biker while we were there for two nights. Highly recommended.

Did not realize that the road is impassable in early May. We got about 5 miles from the lookout and went to turn down the road and it was covered in about 2 feet of snow. I've stayed at this lookout twice in the past and will visit again when the snow is melted.

Cozy dark little lookout at the end of a slushy slog up the mountain! Stove worked great at drying us out and we spent a warm night out of the wind. Plenty of wood up there for lookout renters. Beautiful.

Snow shoed in on the road, very windy and icy near the top. So windy! Very difficult to chop wood in the wind. Very loud with the wind during the night, hard to keep the fire going and warm enough during the night. Very drafty in the lookout. Lots of wood available but difficult given then wind. Memorable experience for sure. We left a night early.

Coolest lookout I've stayed in. Would definitely go back.

There is a non-standard sized mattress that can sleep at most 2 adults, 2 adult sized folding cots, and a toddler sized cot.

You won't have problems getting cell service at the tower.

We left behind more propane than we used but pack ~2 bottles (small green ones) just in case. Please don't leave empty bottles behind as some people did.

Bring disposable plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery as doing dishes is a pain with the near constant, intense wind. That should leave you with the pot and pan as your only dishes you will have to clean there. Clorox wipes and paper towels are really nice to have on hand as well.

And of course a bottle of whiskey will serve you well. Cheers.

Gale force winds. Cabin was tight, views were awesome.

Spacious lookout tower with incredible views- We skied in pulling sleds but ran out of snow for the last 500 feet and had to carry everything up. The only pots and pans were all left dirty from prior occupants (chili??) so I would recommend bringing extra water for cleaning, as well as bringing your own cups. Otherwise the fire keeps things perfectly cozy and despite the ceaseless wind, the lookout and it's window panels are well built and barely move or make noise.

Loved our stay. Plenty of room for all 4 of us, and plenty of wood to keep us warm. The wind was crazy, the hike up was pretty grueling but it was all worth it, the views are amazing.

Just an FYI. The stove in the cabin requires the small, green coleman propane canisters.

Arrived to calm weather but then the winds kicked up.

The bad:
Lanturn had both mantles broken and pots and pans were pretty dirty. Limited silverware. There was also a 2 gallon jug of frozen pee out on the walkway. Please, bring your own pee pot and empty it in the latrine. Don't leave it out to freeze or others will need to take care of in once it thaws.

There were no left over propane at the lookout (which often is available) so it was a good thing we brought plenty.

Otherwise the wood was pleantiful and the place was clean. Always a winter adventure at the lookout!

We had a wonderful time at the lookout. It is well kept and provided a great getaway. A few visitors but all were respectful and didn't try to intrude. Be mindful of the yellow jackets that appear to be nesting in the wood pile and fly up and into the lookout. Could use a new fly swatter. Overall would stay again!