North Cascades | Glacier Peak-North Stevens Pass Area
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | Wild Sky Wilderness
Location: 47.8364444,-121.2661887
Summit Elevation: 5,587′
Lookout Type: 14’x14′ L-4 ground house
Site Established: 1935
Current Structure Built: 1935
Date Visited: 9/10/17
Evergreen is one of the few lookouts reservable for stays and one of only two lookouts remaining in the old Snoqualmie National Forest. Its views of the usually hiding Glacier Peak are stunning!
Photos above are from a visit in 2017.
History.
Evergreen Mountain was built in 1935 and was manned year-round as an Aircraft Warning Station during World War II. In the 1940s, two Skykomish Ranger District lookouts, Ellis and Faye Ogilvie, met through conversation over two-way radio while serving as lookouts at Evergreen and nearby Surprise Mountain and later wed, eventually serving together as lookouts at Evergreen.
When a large 6,000 acre fire on the south side of Evergreen in 1967 resulted in logging and salvage operations, a Forest Road was built within 1.5 miles of the lookout. The lookout narrowly survived the fire and remained active until the early 1980s. In 1990, a local volunteer group adopted Evergreen Mountain and began restoration efforts with the support of the Mountaineers, the Quest School, and the 141st Army Reserve Aviation Battalion who flew in supplies. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Lookout Register.
The views.
The route.
Distance(RT): 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,425′
Summit Elevation: 5,587′
With less than 3 miles round trip required to reach the lookout, the toughest part of this journey is the long forest road drive. The trail climbs steeply at first through burn scars of a 1967 fire, but once you enter the Wild Sky Wilderness the trail relaxes and it’s a nice journey from here.
Enjoy a short stretch of beautiful old growth trees before leaving the forest and entering alpine meadows. From here you’ll see the lookout high atop the ridge and the views get better with every step you take!
Evergreen’s 360° views are commanding, with the elusive Glacier Peak front and center as well as Columbia, Kyes, and the distinctive profile of Sloan Peak. Further west you can view Del Campo, Big Four, and Baring. To the south is Mount Rainier and Adams and to the east are Mount Daniel, Fernow, and the always prominent Stuart. This is a great place to play “name that peak”. Consider bringing a map or peak finder for fun!
Directions.
From Highway 2, drive 0.5 mile east of Skykomish and turn onto the Beckler River Road (FR 65). Follow the road about 12.5 miles (pavement ends at 7 miles) to a 5-way intersection at Jack Pass. Take a right hand fork signed Forest Road 6550 and proceed one mile to another intersection. Turn left onto Forest Road 6554 and drive another 6.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road. When I visited in September of 2017, the road was rough in places but driveable for most vehicles.