About...

...THE LOCATION:

The North Mountain Lookout is located just north of Darrington, Washington. Drive to it via the North Mountain Road, also called Forest Service Road #2810. The road winds 11.5 miles to the lookout perched at 3,824 feet. The lookout once guarded the North Fork Stillaguamish, Sauk, and Suiattle River Valleys from forest fires. While its role in fire management has diminished, the views from atop have not. They are as spectacular as ever, as the lookout is surrounded by the high peaks of the North Cascade mountains.

... THE LOOKOUT:

The North Mountain Lookout is a Region Six (R-6) flat cab with a 41’ treated timber tower. The R-6 flat cab is a live-in lookout structure introduced by the United States Forest Service (USFS) Region 6 in 1953. Individual examples of this cab type feature a flat roof with overhanging eaves and window styles ranging from two-light wood sash to the four-light design of the North Mountain cab. This lookout was constructed by Wood Fab. Co. and V.L. between August 24, 1964 and November 15, 1965

North Mountain is one of three existing R-6 Flat cab lookouts on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS). The others are Lookout Mountain Lookout, located in Skagit County, and Heybrook Lookout, located in Snohomish County. Only thirteen lookouts remain of more than seven dozen that were constructed on the forest and of the 656 fire lookouts constructed in Washington State less than 100 are left standing. Nationwide, nearly one lookout per week is lost to neglect or disrepair.

North Mountain Lookout is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for its contribution to the history of fire management in the USFS, as one of only three remaining R-6 Flat cabs and as one of only thirteen remaining lookouts of any style on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is also one of only 100 remaining lookouts within the entire state of Washington.

...THE FRIENDS OF NORTH MOUNTAIN:

The Friends of North Mountain had its genesis at a regular meeting of Darrington Strong, a local 501(c)4 non-profit dedicated to facilitating communication and enhancing quality of life in the Darrington community. Forrest Clark and Geoff Kemp came to the meeting to tell us about the fire lookout just outside of town that needed some TLC so it could become an asset to our community. The Friends of North Mountain, a Division of Darrington Strong, was formed that night and held its first meeting on March 30th 2013. Roselie Rasmussen, Brianna Hawkins, and Carson Tavenner have been the coordinators of the Friends of North Mountain. Nearly one hundred community members from the Greater Puget Sound have contributed time, energy, and expertise to this project! The Friends are thrilled to see the immediate response from people throughout the community, region, and nation celebrating this achievement.

There’s lots of great stuff continuing to go on in the Darrington volunteer community which you can read about at www.darringtonstrong.org. Please check it out and come visit our wonderful mountain town!

The lookout has been restored to its original condition, including beautiful furniture following the original USFS plans for such. Additional safety measures (including a lightning arrestor system) have fully met inspection standards and the U.S. Forest Service continues to partner with the Friends of North Mountain, which maintains and operates the lookout under a Special Use Permit.

Of the original 656 lookouts in Washington, North Mountain is now one of less than a hundred remaining. Another piece of history has been saved, restoring a source of pride for the community at the same time. Visitors have already come from several states and nations to enjoy the spectacular views from the stair landings and catwalk!

THANK YOU!

...to all the volunteers -- over one hundred! -- who gave time, energy, knowledge, encouragement, friendship and more!

...to all the donors who funded material acquisition and expert consulting.

...to all the organizations who partnered with the Friends of North Mountain along the way.

U.S. Forest Service Forest Fire Lookout Association

National Forest Foundation Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance

Hampton Lumber Cascade Lumber

Filson C.C. Parker Paints

CG Engineering Super Anchor Safety

Soprema SWCA Environmental Consultants

Marvin Doors & Windows Ike's Welding

THE PUBLIC CAN NOW STAY OVERNIGHT SAFELY...FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!

The Friends of North Mountain have organized for sustainable maintenance and support operations in perpetuity.

The North Mountain Lookout is positioned to provide not only amazing views of Northwest Washington but also community interaction and mutual support. Its USFS Rangers stationed within once looked out for fires...now it helps us to look out for one another!

You can plan to stay overnight by renting the lookout through the Friends of North Mountain's AirBnB site.

The 2023 season is now open, running from 3 June to 16 October, 2022. Dates become available on a three-month rolling basis.

For more information, write to: info@northmountainlookout.com