Hager Mountain Lookout

What a beautiful place! We were very lucky to get good weather - relatively low winds and high clouds. The road up is, for the most part, in good shape, just some erosion at the end near the gate. We parked there and hiked the ~1.2 miles up to the lookout. Definitely tough at that altitude but no snow fortunately. There were some early wildflowers along the way - phlox, paintbrush and balsam root. The cabin has seen better days but the mice problem was the dealbreaker, especially the log book entries describing them chewing through food bags and backpacks and running over people while they're sleeping. We spent the day at the cabin but left just before sunset.

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.