Volunteers work to finish High Rock Lookout by opening date

Since the High Rock Lookout Trail’s closure in early July, volunteers with the Sand Mountain Society have been working to restore the lookout — now with less than a month until its reopening.

The closure was necessary to ensure public safety during the restoration of the historic lookout among steep rocky terrain, according to a news release from the Sand Mountain Society.

Built in 1930 and 1931 for the purpose of fire detection, the historic lookout is a reminder of the early years of the U.S. Forest Service.

The project is a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the White Pass Country Historical Society and the Sand Mountain Society, an Oregon-based nonprofit organization specializing in the preservation of historic lookouts.

“We’ve learned so much from having people like Rick actually working in heritage for the U.S. Forest Service. They bring so much knowledge and they make us stay true to the original structure,” Don Allen, president of the Sand Mountain Society, said of the project’s lead and former U.S. Forest Service Heritage Program manager Rick McClure.

“We make some modifications (to the lookout), but we try to keep them hidden for strength and durability. But we always consult about that, and I think it leads to a really good outcome,” Allen said.

Some volunteers working on the lookout’s restoration went to training workshops in Randle to learn the basics in historic preservation, along with hands-on experience working with materials from the lookout.

With the trail set to reopen Sept. 15, volunteers are working in their free time to complete as much of the restoration as possible.

Volunteers, like Haley Kautz, a manager at the REI in Olympia, work full-time jobs during the week and dedicate their free time to restoring the lookout.

“This is a great opportunity to spread the word that we could take some more donations on this thing if they are available and the follow-up is going to be volunteer staffing ability,” Allen said.

Allen also noted that vandalism had taken a toll on the lookout’s conditions over the years and urged future visitors to respect the newly restored lookout.

While these closures are in effect, hikers are encouraged to explore other nearby trails, including the Osborne Mountain Trail No. 250, Teeley Creek Trail No. 251 and Big Creek Trail No. 252, all in the vicinity of High Rock.

For more information about the lookout restoration, including how to become a project supporter or volunteer, visit www.WhitePassCountryMuseum.org.