Type: 30′ tower with R-6 cabin
Status: Staffed in summer
Elevation: 7,033 feet
Visited: July 28, 2013
Greg and I went to visit the lookout on Odell Butte after camping with friends near Waldo Lake. The road to the top is in good shape but visitors aren’t allowed to drive all the way up. We parked at a gate and walked the rest of the way. The gate is secured with numerous daisy-chained padlocks.
After a short 0.8mi walk we reached the tower. A lookout has been located here since 1916. This is the third one, built in 1963.
The guy in the tower came out on the catwalk but didn’t respond to our “good morning” greeting. So we climbed up on the rocks nearby to enjoy the views. Diamond Peak feels like a hop, skip, and a jump away:
View to the southwest:
The summit is home not just to the lookout but to many different radio towers:
More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache
Directions
From Highway 58 turn north onto gravel Road 5815. Drive 2.8 miles then turn right onto Road 500. Drive 1.6 miles and park at a switchback. The road is gated here and public motor vehicles are prohibited beyond this point. It’s a 0.8 mile road hike from the gate to the lookout
History
A 14×14′ cabin was built on Odell Butte in 1916.
A 20′ L-4 tower was built in 1932.
In 1963 a 30′ tower with an R-6 cabin was built, and still stands today.
