This is the Sand Mountain Fire Lookout. It's only about 6 miles off Hwy 22. Unfortunately, the guide I used didn't make the reader aware of the "primitive" road conditions (all dirt and ruts the size of small houses! no joking!). We were also met by groups of 4 wheelers out for the day and using the same road (us stopping for them mostly, but it's not like we were travelin' real fast anyways!) When we finally arrived at the bottom of Sand Mountain we discovered that the road leading up to the trailhead was one lane and if we met anyone going up (about 1 mile), we'd have no other choice than to put the truck in reverse and back our way down the hill. Luckily, we only met up with the 4 wheelers and they got out of our way (we were bigger!) Once at the trailhead, it's a short walk up to the top of the cindercone and the lookout. It's a working fire lookout that is manned by volunteers that take their jobs very seriously and are very hospitable to the people who visit. The views from the top are spectacular!
Along with the views of the surrounding mountains were wonderful sights of wildflowers and lots of butterflies!
Mike, kids and Cody in front of Mt. Jefferson (with snow) and Three Fingered Jack. The kids were pretty impressed with Sand Moutain and the Fire Lookout (we got a little tour). They love to explore new places!
Close up of Three Fingered Jack and in front are mostly Ponderosa Pine trees.
Mt. Washington is covered in snow to the right of our heads (kind of hard to see). We are at the overlook off Hwy 22 that explains the wildfires that went through there about 5 years ago. There are so many dead trees, but there is also life everywhere - small trees are coming up, bushes, ferns, wildflowers and signs of wildlife.
Close up of Mt. Washington from Sand Mountain
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