Tyee Lookout

About

Tyee Lookout sits atop a rocky outcrop at 6,654 feet in the Entiat Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Built in the 1950s for fire detection, the lookout served Forest Service personnel until the 1990s and has since been converted to a rental cabin. The 16x16 structure sleeps four on foam mattresses and offers LED lighting, a bench, and basic cleaning supplies. A portable toilet is located 30 yards away behind a privacy screen. This is a challenging destination. The final 3.6 miles of Forest Road 5713 are narrow, steep, sandy, and rocky with two rock ledges requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with quality tires. Alternatively, guests can park at the 0.6-mile mark and hike the remaining distance. The exposed summit is frequently windy and significantly cooler than the valleys below, with steep drop-offs on two sides. Guests must bring all water for drinking, cooking, and washing, as well as bedding, cookware, flashlights, first aid supplies, and trash bags for pack-out. The surrounding area offers hiking and biking on the Tyee Ridge and Billy Ridge trails, and the remote location provides excellent stargazing. The rocky outcrop is home to whitebark pine, a declining species deserving protection.

Directions

From the junction of Entiat River Road and Highway 97A, drive 10.1 miles on Entiat River Road. Turn left on County Road 119A and cross the Entiat River. Drive 2.1 miles to the junction of FS Road 5700 and FS Road 5800, continue straight on FS Road 5700. The road becomes single-lane paved and climbs steeply. Drive 13.9 miles to the unmarked junction with FS Road 5713 and turn right. Without a high-clearance vehicle, park at the 0.6-mile mark near the large parking area and pine tree. The final 3.6 miles to the lookout require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with good tires.