Mount Fremont Fire Lookout, Fire lookout tower in Mount Rainier National Park, US
Mount Fremont Fire Lookout is an observation tower in Mount Rainier National Park situated at about 7,200 feet elevation, with a two-story design featuring a balconied observation level and lower storage space. The structure provides all-around views of surrounding mountains and forests from its high-altitude location.
The tower was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and served as a critical fire detection point for Mount Rainier National Park and surrounding forests. It exemplifies practical structures built during the Depression era to support park infrastructure.
The structure reflects rustic building design principles developed by the National Park Service, using local materials and traditional construction techniques.
The location is accessible via a hiking trail of about 9 kilometers round trip from the Sourdough Ridge Trailhead, with elevation gain through mountain meadows and rocky terrain. The best visiting season is summer when snow has melted and trails are fully passable.
Steel cables are attached to ground anchors to stabilize the structure against strong mountain winds and maintain the tower's integrity under extreme conditions. This engineering solution shows how builders addressed the specific challenges of a high-altitude alpine setting.
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