EISPIRATEN

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.