Hager Mountain Lookout

About

Hager Mountain Lookout sits at 7,195 feet elevation in Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. On clear days, visitors can see as far as Mount Hood to the north and Mount Shasta to the south. This historic structure is one of the few remaining fire lookouts still actively staffed for fire detection during summer months, and it opens to the public as a winter rental from November 15 through May 15. The 14x14-foot cabin accommodates up to four people and comes furnished with a bed and mattress, three folding cots, table and chairs, propane stove, woodstove with firewood provided, heater, and refrigerator. Limited cookware is available. A vault toilet and picnic table are located outside. There is no potable water on-site, so guests must bring adequate supplies for drinking, cooking, and washing. Garbage must be packed out. Access to the lookout is a rugged adventure in itself. From the Hager Mountain Trailhead off Forest Road 28, guests must hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski approximately 4 miles to reach the summit. Winter conditions can change rapidly at this elevation, and several groups have required search and rescue assistance after becoming disoriented. Contact the Silver Lake Ranger District before your trip to check current weather and snow conditions.

Directions

From Silver Lake, take Oregon Highway 31 east for less than half a mile, then turn right onto County Highway 4-12 (East Bay Road). County Highway 4-12 becomes Forest Road 28. Continue on Forest Road 28 for 8.7 miles to the Hager Mountain Trailhead. Take Trail #160 for approximately 4 miles to the summit. In winter, access is by foot, snowshoes, or cross-country skis only.