Shadow Mountain Lookout Trail

Shadow Mountain Lookout Trail is a 9.6-mile out-and-back from East Shore Trailhead to the historic fire lookout above Shadow Mountain Lake. The mapped route is about 4.8 miles each way, with roughly 1,530 feet of climbing; allow at least four to five hours. It is a substantial high-elevation hike, not a quick lake stroll. The tower is closed to hikers, so the destination is its exterior, not a climb to the elevated lookout platform.

The first roughly 1.5 miles follow East Shore Trail beside Shadow Mountain Lake on mostly level ground, with intermittent water views. At the fork, take the left branch toward the lookout; the other branch continues toward Shadow Mountain Dam. From there the path climbs steadily through forest, mostly under tree cover, with a couple of short open viewpoints. Turn around at the historic lookout and return the same way. Osprey nest near the shore, though a sighting is never guaranteed.

The three-story stone-and-timber lookout was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 and staffed through the 1968 season. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and restored in the mid-1990s. You can see the structure from outside, but do not climb or enter it. Trees screen much of the ground-level view, so do not plan on the broad panorama described from the tower platform.