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Snow Mountain Lookout |
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The modified Snow Mountain looks over many acres of the
surrounding forest.
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Administrative agency:
the lookout resides on the Ochoco NF (now Malheur due to land
exchange?) although is staffed by the Burns Interagency Zone
Staffing status: paid position
Elevation: 7163ft
Structure: 1961 10ft wooden tower with R-6 cab, recently
modified adding very nice large windows for much better visibility
Access: the site is pretty easy to
access, when coming from Prineville the road is paved most of the
way until you reach the forest boundary, it then becomes gravel,
there are several main FS roads in the area which lead close to
the lookout, if I remember correctly the roads were signed rather
well with road numbers, no gates are present with the number of
gravel road miles around 10
Road conditions: the gravel roads are in pretty good
condition, nearing the lookout the road is composed or dirt and
natural rock with perhaps some gravel added, it does become
somewhat rough toward the end, driving slowly and cautiously is
advisable
Interior: the interior contains the traditional
lookout items
Other structures on summit: a nice vault style toilet
facility is onsite, complete with a sidewalk accessing it, a
permanently mounted propane tank sits near the lookout as does a
repeater tower and several small buildings a RAWS station appears
to sit to the east a little on a spur road,
click hear
to see the weather conditions on Snow Mountain
(this links to a NOAA site)
Electric energy source: several solar panels are
mounted on the roof of the lookout, as well as several mounted on
the repeaters, the RAWS station likely contains some as well
Other: although not shown well in my photos this
lookout enjoys spectacular panoramic views, in any direction miles
and miles of forest and rangeland are before you, no question this
is one of the best sites for a lookout, the reverse of this is
that Snow Mountain can be seen from many other lookouts around it,
this is truly a must visit lookout for those interested in
expansive views of Eastern Oregon, the building itself appears to
be in good condition with the recent addition of large windows,
the summit is somewhat spacious with grasses at the top and trees
down the hill a little ways, it is also a popular spot for hunters
when the season begins
Visited: Dominic Luebbers September 2002 |
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Another example of somewhat poor
conditions to take photos, as well as some neglectful photo processing. |
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the lookout and accompanying buildings |
another shot of the lookout and communication tower |
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the lookout as seen right before cresting the hill |
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the view of the surroundings with scattered rain showers |
looking toward the spur road and RAWS station |
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