Type: L-4 ground cabin
Status: Staffed
Elevation: 5,900′
Visited: June 22, 2024
I visited Round Mountain last fall because I was in the area and had time to kill. It was a gloomy November day on that visit, and since I was back in the area again on a nice summer day, I made a return trip.
I parked at the gate and started hiking up the road:
This sign is wrong:
A peek through the trees looking south at distant Walker Mountain and Ringo Butte, with Wikiup Reservoir:
Another peek through the trees, looking southwest at distant snowy Mt. Bailey poking up, and Cowhorn Mountain at center:
When I reached the summit, I wandered around taking photos. Joey the lookout came out to say hi, and I learned that he was acting as relief lookout for his wife who works here. His normal gig is Lava Butte, which is MUCH busier than this spot:
I had a nice view of South Sister, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor to the north (this view was totally obscured by clouds last fall):
Looking south at Wickiup Reservoir and Davis Mountain:
Looking east with Paulina Peak at left:
Looking west at Maiden Peak and The Twins:
While Joey and I were talking inside the cabin I noticed the very cool mountain profile drawings around the interior, accompanied by photos. Also notice all the ticks in the first photo!
There was a lovely patch of penstemon growing on the summit:
Nice to return on a clear day and get all the great views!
Update: On July 16, less than a month after my hike up here, this lookout was threatened by a lightning-ignited wildfire that started on the mountain. You can read about it in this article from the autumn 2024 issue of Lookout Network magazine.