Parker Mountain

Type: 40′ steel tower
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 5,210′
Visited: June 11, 2022

After visiting Chase Mountain I stopped at Parker Mountain. I turned off of the highway and passed through this gate with a sign warning that the property is owned by Green Diamond, that they are granting access for recreational use, and that access can be revoked at any time:

Parker Mountain

After some rough road I parked at the gate and started walking:

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

I believe this is a gopher snake. Looks like he just ate:

Parker Mountain

I could see the top of the tower from the road:

Parker Mountain

After 0.7 miles I reached the lookout, which is not yet being staffed for the season:

Parker Mountain Lookout

Parker Mountain Lookout

Parker Mountain Lookout

Parker Mountain Lookout

Although I couldn’t get all the way to the top since it was locked up, I went as far as I could up the stairs to check out the surrounding views:

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

Parker Mountain

I could Chase Mountain (on the left) where I had just been, and Hamacker Mountain next to it:

Parker Mountain

Directions

From Highway 66 turn south at Parker Mountain Pass, drive through an open gate, and go straight through the intersection/junction of dirt roads. After half a mile reach a junction and turn right. There was a sign pointing the way when I visited. The road is rough in places, but doable in my Outback. I drove 1.7 miles and parked at the gate. From there it was a 0.7 mile road walk to the lookout

More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache

History

In 1934 the Civilian Conservation Corps built an unusual-looking lookout tower on Parker Mountain:


Klamath County Museum

In 1956 a new 30′ steel tower was constructed:


ODF

Arsonists destroyed the tower in 1996 and a new one was rebuilt in 1997. This is the 40′ steel tower that stands there now.