Type: 67′ tower with R-6 cab
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 5,303′
Visited: October 17, 2021
On my way home from staying at the Fry Meadow Guard Station I made a detour to visit the High Ridge Lookout. As I approached I could see it from Road 31:
I turned onto Road 270 then immediately left onto 271, then parked at the gate and started walking:
It was one mile from the gate to the tower, which was built in 1959:
This late in the season it wasn’t being staffed anymore and the catwalk was locked, as I expected. But there’s a nice viewing platform just below where I got to experience being blasted by the wind:
The views were great and I could see lots of beautiful larches:
The distant Wallowa Mountains were visible:
Nice view along the ridge:
I could see the old outhouse in the trees:
I spotted some deer grazing below:
Lookout shadow:
After coming down from the tower I walked out along the ridge. There are remains from the prior 1941 lookout out there:
Looking back at the tower:
Directions
From the intersection of Highway 204 and Road 31, head west on Road 31. After four miles turn right onto Road 270, then make an immediate left onto Road 271. After about 0.3mi you’ll reach a gate which may be closed and locked. If so, park here and hike up the road approximately one mile to the tower, otherwise you can drive all the way up to the top.
More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache
History
High Ridge became a lookout site in 1941 with the construction of a 40′ pole tower and L4 cab, pictured here in 1955:
USFS
That tower was replaced in 1959 with a 67′ tower and R6 cab that still stands there today, pictured here in 1963:
