Type: 82′ L-4 tower
Status: Abandoned
Elevation: 7,508′
Visited: August 11, 2023
A road goes to Russel Mountain, but I decided to hike the Sugarloaf Trail to get here. Read more about the hike on my adventure blog.
1.9 miles from the trailhead I reached the lookout access road, turned right, and 0.2 miles later I was at the lookout:
The 82′ tower was built in 1949 and is no longer staffed. There are signs telling you to stay off, but incredibly the lower stairs have not been removed as they usually are in such situations:
Well this is troubling:
I poked around in the trees north of the tower to see if I could get a view from the ground, and indeed I could:
Looking behind me up at the tower:
The Forest Service apparently considers this a trailhead. The Sugarloaf Trail continues west from here along a former roadbed:
Looking back down the road I hiked up there’s another newish-looking sign:
There’s a nice little meadow just south of the lookout and I was dismayed to see that some jerks had driven across it sometime recently:
I set off back down the road:
Then turned onto the trail and began my descent back down to the car. On the drive back down to Halfway I could just barely see the lookout poking up above the trees on Russel Mountain:
More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache
Directions
From the town of Halfway head north on Fish Lake Road. After 3.5 miles turn left on Clear Creek Road, which turns into Road 66. Drive for four miles then turn right to stay on Road 66. From that junction drive 13.8 miles to Road 450 and turn right. Drive 1.2 miles up 450 to the lookout.
History
In 1921 a 50′ pole tower was constructed on Russel Mountain:
1921
In 1949 an 82′ tower was built, which is the tower that stands today:
1955
A notice in the 12/23/1987 edition of the Hells Canyon Journal said “seeking public input to aid in the development development of alternatives for future management and use of Russel Mountain Lookout.” Pine District Ranger Mary Peterson was quoted as saying “Because we have more cost effective methods for fire detection with aerial observation, and because Horse Mountain Lookout in Idaho covers much of the same viewing area, the lookout is no longer used for fire detection. It now becomes necessary to determine what to do with the tower. I would like ideas and suggestions from the public to help develop a full range of options from which to make a decision. I can see these options ranging from removal of the structure to full maintenance and renting it out to the public.” It’s unclear what the outcome of this process is and if anything was ever done.