Beautiful hike to the lookout and very cool to stay in a place many don't get to see. We got there just before it started raining and it was awesome to watch the storm roll through. It was disappointing to see the previous guest had left a log smoldering in the wood stove and ash everywhere around the interior of the lookout that we had to clean up. Also the roof leaked like a sieve, and it would be great to see money put into the lookout to preserve it for future generations. Overall a great experience and our group has no problems dealing with less than ideal conditions, but it was disappointing to see that the lookout itself was somewhat in disrepair.

Beautiful hike to the lookout and very cool to stay in a place many don't get to see. We got there just before it started raining and it was awesome to watch the storm roll through. It was disappointing to see the previous guest had left a log smoldering in the wood stove and ash everywhere around the interior of the lookout that we had to clean up. Also the roof leaked like a sieve, and it would be great to see money put into the lookout to preserve it for future generations. Overall a great experience and our group has no problems dealing with less than ideal conditions, but it was disappointing to see that the lookout itself was somewhat in disrepair.

Beautiful hike to the lookout and very cool to stay in a place many don't get to see. We got there just before it started raining and it was awesome to watch the storm roll through. It was disappointing to see the previous guest had left a log smoldering in the wood stove and ash everywhere around the interior of the lookout that we had to clean up. Also the roof leaked like a sieve, and it would be great to see money put into the lookout to preserve it for future generations. Overall a great experience and our group has no problems dealing with less than ideal conditions, but it was disappointing to see that the lookout itself was somewhat in disrepair.

If you're planning on skinning or hiking to the fire lookout in the winter you might want to plan on taking the ATV route and giving yourself 6 hours to get there. We were breaking trail for about 3 miles and with a pack (probably too heavy) this destroyed my legs. I'm an ultra runner and have run this trail many times with a 10-15lb pack in the summer but with over a foot of fresh snow, snowshoes on and a 40lb pack we barely made it. A friend that skinned the same trail a week prior said absolutely do not pull a sled with your gear and I completely understand why. The trail is much more narrow in the winter and even with waist deep powder in the open fields some of the trail through the forest was nothing but rocks and dirt. We avoided the ATV route because it's 4 miles longer but I'm guessing it would be much easier. It was a beautiful day and I'm using the experience as a lesson in backcountry travel. I'll probably run the trail in the winter with a very light pack for a redemption mission.

If you're planning on skinning or hiking to the fire lookout in the winter you might want to plan on taking the ATV route and giving yourself 6 hours to get there. We were breaking trail for about 3 miles and with a pack (probably too heavy) this destroyed my legs. I'm an ultra runner and have run this trail many times with a 10-15lb pack in the summer but with over a foot of fresh snow, snowshoes on and a 40lb pack we barely made it. A friend that skinned the same trail a week prior said absolutely do not pull a sled with your gear and I completely understand why. The trail is much more narrow in the winter and even with waist deep powder in the open fields some of the trail through the forest was nothing but rocks and dirt. We avoided the ATV route because it's 4 miles longer but I'm guessing it would be much easier. It was a beautiful day and I'm using the experience as a lesson in backcountry travel. I'll probably run the trail in the winter with a very light pack for a redemption mission.

If you're planning on skinning or hiking to the fire lookout in the winter you might want to plan on taking the ATV route and giving yourself 6 hours to get there. We were breaking trail for about 3 miles and with a pack (probably too heavy) this destroyed my legs. I'm an ultra runner and have run this trail many times with a 10-15lb pack in the summer but with over a foot of fresh snow, snowshoes on and a 40lb pack we barely made it. A friend that skinned the same trail a week prior said absolutely do not pull a sled with your gear and I completely understand why. The trail is much more narrow in the winter and even with waist deep powder in the open fields some of the trail through the forest was nothing but rocks and dirt. We avoided the ATV route because it's 4 miles longer but I'm guessing it would be much easier. It was a beautiful day and I'm using the experience as a lesson in backcountry travel. I'll probably run the trail in the winter with a very light pack for a redemption mission.