Hat Point

Type: 82′ tower with 7×7′ cab
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 6.982′
Visited: June 29, 2007

While visiting the Wallowa Mountains my sister and I drove out to Hat Point one day. This lookout is staffed and there’s an observation deck part of the way up.

It was CRAZY windy up there, but the views were great. Looking southwest to the Wallowa Mountains:

The burn and the mountains

Looking east to the Seven Devils:

Seven Devils

Looking down on the Snake River far below:

Hell's Canyon

Descending the tower:

Descent from the lookout

In the lookout tower

Just a few weeks after our visit lightning started a fire on July 14. It eventually grew into the Battle Creek Complex and burned more than 75,000 acres. The fire burned right up onto Hat Point but thankfully the tower itself did not burn. Read more here.

Directions

From the town of Imnaha turn onto Road 4240. Follow this road 22.6 miles all the way to its end at Hat Point. The road is steep and narrow at times.

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

History

In 1916 a 60′ tower with a 7×7′ cab was built:

In 1948 an 82′ tower with a 7×7′ cab was built, which is the lookout that still stands there:

Hat Point

Hat Point

At some point (maybe in the 80s or 90s?) an observation deck was installed about 60 feet up the tower, enabling visitors to climb up and get a view without disturbing the staffer in the cabin.