Okanogan Highlands | South Okanogan Highlands
Colville National Forest
Location: 48.855745, -118.632588
Summit Elevation: 3,780′
Lookout Type: 15′ DNR cab
Site Established: 1934
Current Structure Built: 1986
Date Visited: 11/24/17
Franson is a remote destination and a great reason to visit beautiful Ferry County. From the top you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding terrain and can look up valley all the way to Baldy Mountain in British Columbia.
Photos from 2017.
History.
Franson Peak was developed in 1934 with an L-5 cab, then a 15′ treated timber tower with L-4 cab replaced it in the 1950s. That L-4 cab was moved to the Molson Museum when the current structure, a 15′ tower with DNR live-in cab, was built in 1986. Franson was last staffed in 1995 and shares space with a few communications towers at the summit.
The route.
Summit Elevation: 3,780′
With a high-clearance 4×4, the road is driveable all the way to the summit, where there is room to park a few cars. The views from Franson extend over National Forest Land and continue north to Baldy Mountain in British Columbia. The surrounding country is gorgeous and you’ll probably enjoy solitude at this summit.
Directions.
Be warned if you Google Map this one, it will try to detour you through the backroads of some homes that do not allow thru traffic.
From the town of Republic on Highway 20, continue east on Highway 20/21, the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway. Turn left onto Highway 21, continue 17.8 miles, then turn left onto Lundimow Meadows Road. Drive 1.7 miles, then make a sharp left onto Franson Peak Rd. Continue 3.5/4 miles to the Franson Peak lookout, veering right near a gate at the top to the lookout. The road can be deeply rutted and narrow in places.