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Acker Rock Lookout |
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Administrative agency:
Umpqua National Forest
Staffing status: previously rented from June to
September, it was probably the most popular Oregon lookout in the
rental program, and was still used for emergencies, in 2002 it was
staffed somewhat as a contract thanks to additional funding,
however due to the intense fire activity in the area it was
evacuated, and the lookout came close to being a victim of the
fire, it looks like it will again return to the rental program and
will not be staffed in 2003, which is unfortunate
Elevation: 4110ft
Structure: 1964 ground mounted R-6 flat cab
Access: the road to the trailhead is
pretty well signed, a gate is present approx. 1-1.5 miles from the
trailhead, the trail then climbs approx. 0.4 miles to the lookout,
the gate is likely only opened by the renters when rented or when
the lookout is staffed, and will likely be closed all other times,
a sign is present at the trailhead indicating that access to the
lookout is only through rental permit, but that likely depends on
who is renting it
Road conditions: the road is paved for a good
distance, then changes to single lane gravel, access should be
possible with most vehicles
Interior: the cab is furnished with lights, a stove,
and a refrigerator powered by propane, a woodstove is present for
heating, a bed and table are also present
Other structures on summit: besides an "outhouse"
with no walls, the summit is only occupied by the lookout, two
somewhat portable propane tanks are present slightly below the
lookout, a solar powered radio repeater building and tower is
installed at the end of the road
Electric energy source: none was present during my
visit although something was likely used to power the radio when
it was staffed
Other: previously a very popular rental, a visit to
the location easily tells why, the lookout sits on the top of a
rock with drop-offs on all sides, two of them being very dramatic,
in addition to that it is somewhat remote taking in a nice view of
the forest
Visited:
Dominic Luebbers May 2001 |
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the lookout from the propane tanks |
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looking down into the green valley that may now be black after the 2002
fires |
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