Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout

Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout is a two-story wooden structure with an observation platform on the upper level and storage space below. The building sits at roughly 5,900 feet elevation and was built as a fire detection facility for the surrounding forest.

The structure was built in 1933 by the National Park Service under architect Edwin A. Nickel from the Branch of Plans and Designs. Its construction was part of an early fire management program that aimed to protect the park's forests from wildfire.

The peak carries the name of William Fraser Tolmie, a Hudson's Bay Company explorer who conducted botanical research in this region during 1833. The name reflects how early exploration relied on knowledge from guides who already understood the mountain landscape.

The structure is accessible from mid-July through mid-October via Mowich Lake Road, which becomes unpaved after the first few miles. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions and bring appropriate gear for the high elevation.

The tower is one of only four remaining observation structures within the entire national park. This rarity makes it a valuable window into how forest fire protection worked in earlier decades.

Location: Pierce County

Inception: 1933

GPS coordinates: 46.95754,-121.88092

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44