Sourdough Mountain Lookout, fire lookout
Sourdough Mountain Lookout is a historic fire observation tower perched at nearly 6,000 feet on a summit in Whatcom County. The small wooden cabin provides panoramic views of glaciated peaks, alpine lakes, and forested valleys stretching in all directions.
The original lookout was built in 1917 as one of the first fire detection stations in the United States. The current wooden structure was rebuilt in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and underwent renovation in the late 20th century.
The name refers to sourdough bread that early prospectors carried into the mountains. The lookout represents a way of life centered on fire detection and wilderness monitoring that shaped how people understood mountain conservation.
The trail to the lookout stretches over 5 miles one way with an elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. Wear sturdy boots, bring plenty of water, and start early to allow time for the steep climb and safe descent before dark.
Poet Gary Snyder spent the summer of 1953 working as a fire lookout at this station and wrote poems capturing his mountain solitude. His time here inspired works that connected wilderness experience with contemporary poetry, drawing literary pilgrims to the site.
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