The road is great heading up to the lookout & does get a little narrow towards the end. There is no service once you leave West Glacier till you are halfway into the hike. Once you get to the lookout, you'll have enough service to send text messages & load social media (Verizon & AT&T) if you stand close to the fireplace. I wasn't sure about the service at the lookout, so I checked in with my family from the Polebridge Mercantile, and they happily let me use their landline. Make sure to get a few huckleberry bear claws at the Mercantile! The lookout was equipped with cots, pads, Coleman cook stove, saw, axes, dry wood, cooking, and cleaning supplies. I went during a snow storm and didn't have much visibility, but it was sure cozy next to the fire. The larches on the drive up to the lookout were absolutely amazing!

I have been trying to get a rental at a lookout tower for years. I have fought wildland fire with the forest service for 10 years and this is the first time I was able to make a reservation. It was 1 mi hike in under freezing conditions with lots of snow already on the ground. That wasn't going to stop me. What did stop me however was the fact when I got there, there was no firewood provided. That information was not relayed to me with my reservation details. You cant expect someone to pack in overnight gear & food AND pack firewood in 1 mi. When I got there I had to turn around and leave and didn't even get to spend the night.

I have been trying to get a rental at a lookout tower for years. I have fought wildland fire with the forest service for 10 years and this is the first time I was able to make a reservation. It was 1 mi hike in under freezing conditions with lots of snow already on the ground. That wasn't going to stop me. What did stop me however was the fact when I got there, there was no firewood provided. That information was not relayed to me with my reservation details. You cant expect someone to pack in overnight gear & food AND pack firewood in 1 mi. When I got there I had to turn around and leave and didn't even get to spend the night.

The hike in was very easy and quick! The lookout was awesome! Definitely recommend.

The hike in was very easy and quick! The lookout was awesome! Definitely recommend.

The views from Hornet are unmatched providing an almost spiritual experience. The lookout is clean and well maintained. A true treasure of the north fork.

The views from Hornet are unmatched providing an almost spiritual experience. The lookout is clean and well maintained. A true treasure of the north fork.

Very nice lookout. Well stocked. Short hike but steep. The only problem is there are tons of people hiking up there constantly and trying to come in the lookout

Very nice lookout. Well stocked. Short hike but steep. The only problem is there are tons of people hiking up there constantly and trying to come in the lookout

I loved this lookout, Mother Nature gave us 2 days of drizzle so the views were not that great. Would love to go back and spend some more time, The drive to the lookout was an adventure all by it self was really glad that we didn't meet another vehicle on the road. Loved the hike in and out it wasn't too strenuous for an out of shape 63 year old woman. If you love nature and solitude this is wonderful place to stay.