Hager Mountain Lookout

Expect to spend a couple hours a day splitting huge rounds of firewood with a huge axe maul. Not for the weak or dainty. If you don't have wood that will fit in the woodstove, the wood splitting and hauling will keep you warm.

The hike to the lookout in winter will challenge you! Be prepared with snowshoes/poles and it's a good idea to have a mapping app to assist you to stay in trail (especially important as you get closer/above the treeline or end up in white out/no visibility)! The lookout was such a welcomed refuge after getting through the blizzard conditions! Warmed rapidly with the wood stove, windows held, even through some intense wind! Will be back, really great experience.

The high wind advisory was really scary. We didn’t sleep at all two nights. The dogs and ourselves had major anxiety and thought the windows were gonna break.
There is a mouse problem, they got into food we left out briefly during the day.
I think I lost a vitamin case up there (black that says “SAT” on the side), if you find it please let me know, I’ll pay you to ship it to me! (Insta: @itsnicholemarie).

We have been to this lookout twice now and both times the hike got a little harrowing towards to top (VERY windy). Be sure to check the weather forecast and plan to head out on trail earlier in the day!

The lookout is well stocked with supplies and we were very cozy 🤗

We went Thanksgiving week this year. The trail had a lot of snow all the way down at the trailheads, and it didn't look like anyone had visited the cabin for a bit before us, so we had to break trail which took us (in pretty good shape) a difficult 4 hours to snowshoe 3.5 miles through inclement weather. WORTH IT THOUGH! The propane oven doesn't work but stovetop does, and one propane lantern wasn't working so bring extra lighting!
Also, if you're splitting wood at the wood shed, do the next folks a favor by chopping a little extra split wood and leaving it up in the cabin when you depart! I think it's good etiquette anyway :) Cheers!

Challenging to get to but worth the effort.

3rd time at Hager mountain….absolutely amazing

Great place to stay! Hike in had 4 trees to crawl under or go over, but they were doable. Check the forecast for snow. You may want snowshoes. It's a long, steep hike to the lookout. This is our third trip and we love it!

The facility is pretty good, but there are a couple of deficiencies. There are no chairs. The propane lantern above the sink could not be turned off. There is no snow shovel, a necessity in winter. Also, ther is no poker or shovel for the wood stove.

A very challenging hike if you are not in shape, and still challenging if you are! We were there April 28-30Th and there was still tons of snow - we needed to use snow shoes about 2 miles up for about a mile (however, the snow was quickly melting as of Sunday afternoon). The Lookout was very clean and left in good shape, i.e., firewood and kindling, filled up and someone even left a ready-to-burn fire in the woodstove, as well as melted water labeled “Clean, but unfiltered” in a big pot (We followed suit, and did the same before we left). There was a shovel and an ax which we were also grateful to have. Lots of mouse traps but not so much mouse poop, as previously mentioned, and we did not hear any of scuffling around, nor did we catch any while there. There were all kinds of kitchen utensils, pots, and pans, plates and cups etc., tinfoil, and even food and spices, s & p available, so no need to lug these items up the hill unless you are concerned you may not make it - just pack smart, and prepare for the worst just in case! We also appreciated finding some art supplies and lots of games to choose from. Items that you could bring up to donate; art paper, watercolors, baby wipes, clean sponges, and or a dish towel. Luckily, we had snow to melt and drink through our filter bottle, but make sure you bring enough water at this point! Overall, this place is magic and we enjoyed our time there thoroughly!!