Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout
Open year-round. Reservations required via Recreation.gov. Summer access is a 1-mile hike from the parking area off Forest Road 192.1. Winter access requires parking along Highway 103 and hiking or skiing 2-3 miles to the lookout. No refunds for weather conditions. Not recommended for children.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 30 at 3:08PM MDT until July 1 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY... A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE I-70 MOUNTAINS, SOUTH PARK, AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 214 and 216. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 3:08PM MDT until June 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY... A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE I-70 MOUNTAINS, SOUTH PARK, AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 214 and 216. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Tuesday June 30 to 900 AM Wednesday July 01 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
About
The Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout (pronounced mess-taw-HAY) offers a rare opportunity to stay in a historic granite fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s. Located at the summit of Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain in Clear Creek County, the lookout sits at over 11,000 feet elevation on an active communications site. The cab measures 14 feet by 14 feet with windows lining all four walls, providing 360-degree views from Denver and the Great Plains to Mount Blue Sky, Pikes Peak, and Longs Peak. The lookout accommodates up to four guests and comes equipped with an electric stove, refrigerator, two small wall heaters plus a space heater, beds, table and chairs, cookware, and dishes. An exterior incinerating toilet serves as the restroom facility. There is no potable water available; visitors must pack in all drinking water. Tent camping is not permitted at the site. Access requires hiking approximately one mile from the parking area in summer or 2-3 miles in winter when the lower road access is closed. Winter visitors should be prepared to snowshoe or cross-country ski and bring emergency winter camping gear in case of storms or power outages. Summer temperatures average 70°F but can drop to 30°F at night. Lightning storms are frequent; guests should remain inside and avoid touching metal furnishings during storms.
Directions
From Idaho Springs and I-70, take Exit 240 (Colorado Highway 103) and drive south over the bridge for 19 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 192.1 (dirt road) and continue one mile to the parking area before a locked gate. Hike one mile up the road past the gate to the lookout. Winter: Park at the pulloff or along the right shoulder of Highway 103 and hike/ski approximately 2-3 miles to the lookout.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $80 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (303) 567-4382 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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