Desolation Peak Lookout

Desolation Peak Lookout is a 1933 L-4 fire lookout cabin on a summit above Ross Lake, surrounded by open subalpine meadows and a wide Cascade panorama. Jack Kerouac worked here as a fire lookout in 1956, but the cabin is closed inside; the visit is about the historic building, the summit and the views. From Lightning Creek, it is 6.25 miles one way with 4,770 feet of climbing. This is a strenuous backcountry destination, not a quick roadside stop.

The summit meadows open in every direction: Hozomeen Mountain rises to the north, the Picket Range and Ross Lake lie west, Jack Mountain is south, and Skagit Peak is east. The lookout makes a strong foreground for a photo; include some of the ridge behind it to show how exposed the cabin is, then turn toward Ross Lake for the broader panorama. Clear conditions make the distant peaks easier to pick out, but mountain weather can change quickly.

A major burn in 1926, followed by periodic fires, helped create the open summit meadows; charred wood remains along the trail. Ponderosa and lodgepole pines grow on the route, and deer, grouse and marmots are among the wildlife hikers may encounter, with bears and cougars also present in the area. Keep to durable ground around the fragile meadow plants. The summit is exposed, and the weather can swing from hot and dry to stormy.