Hager Mountain Lookout

Second Lookout adventure for me. Absolutely love it every time. There always seems to be a little lack of information going into it but that is part of the adventure. Called Rangers prior to trip and they were very pleasant and helpful on the phone. I really wouldn't change anything and hope you/they don't. It's suppose to be an adventure, not a Sunday stroll or 5 star hotel.
Thx, Bradd

We enjoy our annual trip to Hager and appreciate the experience ! Very clean and tidy !

What a great experience! Last mile was difficult and had to break trail through deep snow. Thank you for keeping this available for the public to rent!

Excellent. There is a bit of a mice issue but it was otherwise amazing as always. I'd recommend sterilizing anything as there are mice droppings and they did get into our food overnight. We had snow from just after the trail head to the lookout, but less than in a previous visit. I highly recommend making a stop at the Cowboy Dinner Tree.

There are plenty of games and things to keep you busy!

Let me start off by saying don't miss a chance to eat at Cowboy Dinner Tree while you're in the area. We stayed at a cabin there the night before we headed up Hager. It was amazing. It's a good thing I had been in the gym prepping for this. I don't think we used the official trail but more of a forest service road. We followed our phones directions up until the truck couldn't safely make it any farther and then walked about 2-2.5 miles up. The path/road was easy to follow although there were no markers. It was grueling the last mile and we stopped frequently to catch our breath. When we got there the party before us hadn't left any chopped would or kindling. So we rested a bit and then chopped would and hauled it up. The fire was lovely and kept the lookout more than toasty, we actually slept with the window open. A couple suggestions, take a sheet to cover the mattress, they're old and sketchy but totally usable. Bring slippers for inside the cabin otherwise you'll be in a constant state of drying your socks off because of snow that gets tracked in. Bring a good camera or a newer phone with a quality camera. The views are worth every bit of the struggle. This is a trip that will set your soul on fire and I can't overstate how gorgeous the views are. The sky was clear at night and we could see every single star. Epic.

Husband and I spent 2 nights at Hager, this was our second trip up. We were blessed with beautiful weather (as opposed to the 50mph wind gusts during our Nov ‘17 trip). Windows have either been replaced or resealed since our first stay as there wasn’t cold air leaking in from the windows this time - much appreciated. No propane issues, plenty of firewood. Certainly lots of dog hair on mattresses, even the top bunk mattress somehow. Enjoyed our stay, will come back for a 3rd trip in the future. Thank you USFS for offering your lookouts in the off season!

Beautiful and remote location with great views! Parking pull-off was easy to find since road was snow-free. It’s about 9 miles from Silver Lake, maybe 30 minutes at most in good weather and with a clear dry road. Road is paved all the way there. Trail was extremely well-marked with blazes, poles and 2 wooden signs. Intermittent patches of snow in 3rd mile before all snow to lookout in final mile (our trip was late March.) Lookout has more supplies than listed online: some kitchenware, batteries, tools, matches, dish washing supplies and cleaning supplies. There is a sink that drains water so dealing with your gray water is easy. There are 2 propane lights which work although we did have to read the instructions carefully on how to light them. There were also 2 battery-powered lanterns. We got good cell phone service. We phoned ranger station in advance and they were helpful. Winds are very strong at lookout. 3 bunks for sleeping but not much seating, no chairs. Many books and games left at the lookout- unfortunately some trash and leftover food from prior visitors too. (No one wants your food- except the mice. We packed out all the trash and old food we could carry.) We very much enjoyed our visit.

Lots of games, puzzles and cookware/utensils on site. Beautiful views. Very rural. An awesome set up. This was my first fire lookout and I’m very impressed/hyped for my next trip! BRING LOTS OF WATER!

My husband and I trekked up to Hager Mountain Lookout on 12/30/21. We have been up there two other times; once in late November, another in early February. We have never seen this much snow on the trail or up at the lookout before. We’ve taken our snowshoes with us before and ended up leaving them in the car, this time snowshoes were required. There’s anywhere from 16 to 36 inches of snow on the trail as of 1/1/2022. Some day hikers had broken the trail about halfway up and we had to break trail for the 2 mile uphill slog. The day we hiked up it was windy at the top with blowing snow. From the main trailhead it took us 4 hours and 15 minutes to reach the lookout, the trek down only took 2 hours. If you’re headed up to the lookout be prepared for a lot of snow and to have to break trail as the forecast is calling for more snow out there this week. In the more "open" areas there aren't as many trail markers, especially at the top, we lost the trail the last 1/4 mile. Lots of snow to melt for water though! We had to shovel snow out of the bathroom and the woodshed when we got there; it looked as though both doors had been left open during a snow storm. Trekking down to the vault toilet is always an adventure in the cold, especially when the winds are howling. HWY 31 had many spots of ice on the way to Silver Lake from La Pine, E Bay Rd/NF 28 was clear until Cowboy Dinner Tree where it turns to packed snow, but our Prius made it just fine without chains and a skilled driver. No issues with propane or firewood availability. Lookout stays nice and warm but there are some air leaks from the windows when the winds are blowing just right. Recommend bringing your own toilet paper, enjoy freezing your anus when going to the bathroom :)

We're so glad we packed light! We were the first visitors to the lookout in ten days and ended up breaking trail the entire way up through a foot plus of fresh snow (at the bottom) and far more at the top. The climb took us 3 hours and 40 mins, with minimal breaks due to the cold -- our 9 year dog was a real trouper. Snowshoes or skis are a must in mid-winter, and if you live at sea level like we do, don't underestimate the impact the elevation will have on your energy level/mood.

A quick note re: snow piling up in the woodshed and outhouse. We noticed that the visitors after us speculated in their review that the doors had possibly been left open. We discovered on our second day at the lookout that strong winds at the summit actually blow the snow inside both buildings -- through the slats in the woodshed and through the air vent in the outhouse, so in a storm you'll have to regularly clear them out. FYI there's a good shovel inside the woodshed that *might* be hidden by a drift of snow when you get there -- it'll make those tasks way easier. Anyhow, we had a memorable & cozy time and hopefully when we return we'll actually catch some views! A real gem of a spot.

One last note -- I believe that FR 28 gets plowed fairly regularly, but it didn't get plowed during our two-night stay, so we ended up driving out in ten inches of new snow. Just keep that in mind if you have a low-clearance vehicle.