Clear Lake Cabin Lookout

About

Clear Lake Cabin Lookout is one of three Forest Service fire lookout towers on Mt. Hood, still used for fire spotting during summer months and available as a winter rental November through May. The tower sits on Clear Lake Butte near the northwest corner of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, overlooking Clear Lake and Timothy Lake in the distance. Originally built in 1932 at 100 feet tall, the current 40-foot R-6 Flat Top style structure was constructed in 1962. The 14x14 foot cabin is furnished with a small single bed, wood stove for heating, table and chair, propane cook stove, and solar-powered lighting system. An outhouse with vault toilet is located nearby, along with a shed stocked with firewood and a rope and pulley system for hauling gear up the tower. Guests must bring their own water, bedding, food, toilet paper, and garbage bags, as there is no potable water on site and all trash must be packed out. From December 1 through April 30, or whenever winter driving conditions exist, access requires skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling 3.2-3.5 miles from Skyline Sno-Park on Highway 26. An ODOT Sno-Park permit is required to park. The trek follows Forest Service Road 42 to the 240 spur road with 900 feet of elevation gain, typically taking 3.5-4 hours for moderate skiers. Visitors should be experienced in backcountry travel and prepared for extreme weather conditions.

Directions

From the junction of Highway 26 and Forest Service Road 42, 12 miles south of Government Camp, Oregon. Park at Skyline Sno-Park (Sno-Park permit required Nov 1 - Apr 30). Proceed on FS Road 42 to the 240 spur road to the lookout, approximately 3.2 miles with 900 feet elevation gain. From December 1 through April 30, or during winter driving conditions, access is by ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile only.