Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout

Summary

The Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout, located in Clear Creek County's active communication tower site, offers visitors the unique experience of staying in a 1940's granite fire lookout with spectacular panoramic views of the Great Plains, Denver, and other snow-capped peaks. The facility offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and snowshoeing, and includes electric stove, refrigerator, beds, and an exterior incinerating toilet. Visitors must bring their own water and bedding, as well as prepare for extreme winter conditions.

Overview

The Mestaa’ėhehe (pronounced mess-taw-HAY) Mountain Fire Lookout is located directly off of Colorado Highway 103 west of Bergen Park and sits at the summit of Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain, which is an active communication tower site in Clear Creek County. In addition to being an active communication site, the area is a popular dispersed recreation use area with hiking, recreational shooting, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and camping. The lookout is a unique structure constructed of native granite which is situated at over 11,000 feet elevation and was built in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cab measures 14 feet by 14 feet and is completely lined by windows on each side and surrounded by a catwalk, all of which sit on top of a one story stone base.   

The Fire Lookout is open for reservations. We are excited to open the lookout, but wanted to share the following updates with renters:

-There will not be staff cleaning in between visitors to the lookout, all renters must thoroughly disinfect and clean before they leave.

-Pack out all trash and anything brought up during your stay, please do not leave food, supplies or other items behind.

-We will offer disposable items for eating. However, renters are encouraged to bring their own supplies. Reusable utensils/cups will not be provided.

-Follow instructions for the incinerating toilet and do not burn disposable wipes or other cleaning items.

-If you are sick or have been exposed to COVID 19, please stay home, cancel your reservation and a refund will be provided.

Recreation

Facilities

The lookout contains an electric stove, refrigerator, and heat; beds; table and chairs; cookware and dishes; and an exterior incinerating toilet. Please be aware that visitors are expected to clean and maintain the incinerating toilet to ensure proper operation of the unit. The lookout can accommodate four people per night. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own sleeping bags/bedding. This is a pack it in, pack it out facility; guests will need to carry out all trash and clean the facility prior to leaving.

During the winter months, the facilities will be cold. In the lookout, there are two small wall heaters, and one space heater. However, with the weather conditions, it’s not always possible for them to keep the place consistently warm. At 11,000 feet it can also be extremely windy. Please come prepared for the extreme winter weather conditions that can happen during your stay.

Natural Features

Besides offering the unique experience of staying in a fire lookout, Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Lookout will provide visitors outstanding panoramic views of the Great Plains, Denver, Mount Evans, Pikes Peak, Longs Peak and other snow-capped peaks.

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