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07/12/09 - Week 134 Room With A View.. We spent 4th of July weekend camped near Roaring River and roaming around the South Fork of the McKenzie River watershed. One of the places to try and get to that was on my "to do" list was a lookout up on one of the ridge lines. We had tried this same trip a month ago and ran into the snow line and couldn't get up there. One month later it was a different story. While there was still a little snow in a couple of the switch backs near the top the climb the road was open and in pretty good shape. There were a couple of rough spots where they had pushed rock slides out of the way and over the bank. You hit the gravel road off of road 19 at about 2000' elevation and cut your way across the side of the hill until you reach the lookout at 5417' according to my GPS. Needless to say the view is great. They wouldn't have built a fire lookout up there if it wasn't! Here is a view to the East. You will probably have to scroll sideways in your browser to get it all in. To get back to the title of the post this week. You can get much of the view without the room but you can get the room too. The group rate for up to 4 people is only $55 per night. That is not a per person rate. It is for all 4 people. While the fee is very modest so is what you get for it. You get a roof over your head, two twin beds, a table and chairs and shelves for storage. The outhouse is located on ground level about 50' from the tower. All you need to bring is food, water, bedding, something to cook on, something for heat and something for light. If you are still interested there is more information here on renting the place. While they say it is an easy trip by car, if you try it in a car be sure and keep a sharp eye out for rocks in the road. Some of them could or will punch a hole in an oil pan and it could be a long walk back down the hill. If in doubt, get out and more the rock. My trusty Tuscon made the trip with no touble and I never did feel the 4WD kick in. The countdown continues on the 2010 Return To Alaska trip. More info in the links below. I have started an Alaska 2010 web site here with current information on where we stand, where we will be going and what we will be doing. When we return from the site photos and such will be added after we get back like I did on the Alaska 2005 site. Hope you enjoy the photo, |
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