1.5hrs drive from Burney Falls, which was spectacular. Bring your own cable lock to secure the lookout if you leave. We found a group of people trying to cut through the lock to break into the lookout when we returned on one of the evenings.

Hirz Mountain Lookout was one of the more unique camping/hiking experiences I’ve had. The views from the top are absolutely beautiful, especially during sunset, and the stargazing at night was incredible with very little light pollution. The lookout tower itself is really cool and made for an unforgettable overnight experience. That said, the hike up is no joke. It’s steep, rocky, and pretty brutal in the spring/summer heat. We decided not to haul all of our gear up because of how difficult the climb was. Definitely pack light and bring plenty of water. It also gets extremely windy at night, so be prepared for that. One thing that surprised me was how well Verizon cell service worked at the top. Overall, it was a very unique and memorable experience, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it for an extended stay due to the challenging hike and exposure to the elements.

To start...the trip to get there is no joke. You'll want a high clearance vehicle, and while the hike up is short, it is very steep. Carrying the gear up was a workout! Once we got there, it was worth the hike. The space is nice and clean, and the views are amazing. We did have a couple of issues: 1) The door to the vault toilet had been torn off it's hinges, so there is no functioning door. Fortunately, it faces away from the tower, and you have a beautiful view of the lake while sitting and doing your business... 2) There is no way to secure the room. There is no lock. Unfortunately, we were burglarized while we were out on an excursion one day. Had a wallet and several small random items stolen. You could secure the place if you had a chain and a padlock with you. I would recommend that, or at least don't leave any valuables unattended

Definitely need AWD, I made it up fine in my Subaru Forester. Two twin beds and a large picnic table located under the lookout. We pack everything in so we don’t have to do the hike to the car and back multiple times. Only issue was that the toilet/outhouse door hinge is broken and it’s not very clean but other than that great experience and amazing view.

This lookout has been restored to its functional original condition; though spartan, you can get a real feel for what it would have been like when this was new. You really get a feel for how isolated you are and how hard it was to get to your job. The road to this lookout takes a long time, and the recommendation for 4WD high-clearance vehicles is valid. Hiking from the parking area is strenuous, steep, and with loose gravel and rocks most of the way. It's pretty spartan inside, but the view and isolation are phenomenal. Many pictures online are not current for this lookout; the overhanging panels above the windows are now present.