VETTER MTN

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:02 pm

I needed a break working from home so I hiked up to Vetter Mountain yesterday. As expected the campground was closed but the road was open. I was enjoying my solitude. As I approached the last half mile there was a small construction site with a fence around it. I thought that I would be asked to turn around but the one guy who saw me didn't stop me. At the summit there were 2 trucks and a couple of construction guys working on the Vetter Lookout restoration. They did not let me walk up the stairs, so I climbed up the rocks from the other side to get a better view. I guess they thought I would leave and were surprised to see me on the other side beneath the tower. Haha! Anyways I sat down, enjoyed the views, and they just let me be. As I was about to descend the other trail, two hikers approached the summit. After I left, I decided to continue driving on the ACH until I could not go any further, and as expected the road was closed at Islip Saddle. I walked on the PCT for a bit, played in the snow and met some PCTers.

One of three benchmarks still intact.

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:19 pm

I love it up on Vetter! Good energy and central views. I need to catch a sunset there some time.

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:55 pm

That sounds like a good idea. I'm sure you will see a beautiful sunset.

Post by **dima** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:13 pm

Is this the one that burned down in the Station fire? Why are they rebuilding it?

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:34 pm

Dima, I believe it was burned in the station fire. My guess is that the lookout is located in a centralized area. It also has a good road that goes up to the tower. Plus, it overlooks Chilao which they probably want to protect since Chilao has many things there worth protecting.

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:37 pm

The lookout at South Mt. Hawkins burned down too. Another great view.

Post by **dima** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:24 am

I didn't realize that humans looking out for fires is still a thing that we do. Rebuilding the tower makes sense then.

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:25 am

I've been up to Vetter a few times over the past 6 or 7 years and there are frequently volunteer lookouts up there. Glad they are getting a new permanent structure.

While this construction is ongoing, the volunteers have been moved to Josephine instead.