Type: R-6 ground cabin
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 7,353′
Visited: October 20, 2023
I lucked into gorgeous weather while staying at the Sunshine Guard Station. One day I drove up to the Indian Rock Lookout, which is closed for the season. The drive up there on Road 45 was wildly scenic because the larches had turned:
I later learned that the road up here used to be quite rough and rocky, but it was improved after the 2022 wildfire.
There is a trailhead and campground on the road just before the lookout:
The Crockets Knob Fire had burned through here in 2022 (it’s a misspelling of a nearby former lookout site, Crockett Knob):
I drove to the end of the road and then hiked the 0.1 miles up to the lookout. It is staffed during fire season, but was all buttoned up for winter:
The views were stunning on this lovely day. Looking north:
Looking down on the valley of Big Creek to the northeast, with Desolation Butte in the distance:
Looking east at Donaldson Rock (right of center) and the Elkhorns beyond:
Donaldson Rock used to be called Squaw Rock, but its name was changed some ten years ago to get rid of a word that’s offensive to the native people and to honor miner George W. Donaldson.
Zoomed-in on the Elkhorns:
Looking southeast at Vinegar Hill and Sunrise Butte:
Looking south at Dixie Butte:
Looking south with Strawberry Mountain in the distance at far left:
Looking southwest:
Looking west:
Looking northwest:
Larches in the distance:
More information
Forest Lookouts
Rex’s Forest Fire Lookout Page
National Historic Lookout Register
Peakbagger
Panorama Photos
Geocache
History
A D-6 cupola lookout was built on Indian Rock in 1929:
In 1957 it was replaced with the current R-6 ground cabin:
The aforementioned Crockets Knob Fire got a little too close for comfort in September 2022. Crews wrapped the cabin to keep it from burning:
