Harl Butte

Type: L-4 ground cabin
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 6,071′
Visited: June 22, 2023

My last stop of the day, after visiting Hat Point and McGraw, was Harl Butte. Lots of driving today!

There’s a wire gate below the lookout to keep the cows out:

Harl Butte Lookout

And a stone fence around the summit:

Harl Butte Lookout

I met the guy staffing the lookout and we chatted briefly. He said this was his 23rd season as a fire lookout in this region. Wow!

Harl Butte Lookout

This lookout has no catwalk around it:

Harl Butte Lookout

Harl Butte Lookout

Harl Butte Lookout

Harl Butte Lookout

Harl Butte Lookout

Harl Butte Lookout

The view to the east includes the Seven Devils:

Harl Butte Lookout

Looking northeast towards Hat Point:

Harl Butte Lookout

Looking northwest:

Harl Butte Lookout

Looking west to the Wallowa Mountains:

Harl Butte Lookout

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

Directions

From Road 39 turn onto Road 3930 and drive for 15.2 miles. Fork to the left on Road 280 and follow it for 2.5 miles to road’s end (taking the right fork at 1.2 miles).

History

An L-4 ground cabin was built on Harl Butte in 1934. It was replaced with the current cabin in 1954.