Also celebrating 75th Birthday of Smokey Bear
The Sublette County Historic Preservation Board and Bridger-Teton National Forest invite the public to come to an Open House for the restored Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout on Saturday, August 24th from 11AM to 2PM. The Lookout is remotely located on Deadline Ridge in the Wyoming Range, but it is well worth the trip, both for the view and to see this restored iconic structure that represents such an important part of the history of forest management.
Built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this fire lookout was used into the late 1960s. It was later decommissioned once airplanes and better communication technology allowed for faster ways to detect and report wildfires. As happens with so many of these structures that are no longer in active use, the lookout fell into disrepair and was deteriorating.
Very few of the original fire lookouts remain on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Members of the Sublette County Historic Preservation Board took on the project of bringing this lookout and its important history back to life. Board members conducted a “Clean It, Fix It, Paint It” project which lasted three years. Board members repaired, rebuilt and replaced several windows, repaired and replaced roof shingles, and repaired the chimney on the roof. More dramatically, with cooperation from archaeologists from the Forest Service to find the original paint colors, the volunteers repainted the lookout back to its original colors. This included repainting the large white “8” on the roof which identified it from the air. Board members also worked with the Green River Valley Museum to put in an interpretive display about the lookout at the Museum.
The Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout is located high in the Wyoming Range. It sits at about 10,000 feet elevation and has an incredible view of the Wyoming Range and Snyder Basin area. It is about a 45 minute drive southwest of Big Piney taking somewhat of a maze of backcountry forest roads to get there. High clearance vehicles are recommended. Parking is very limited, so for the Open House, carpooling is strongly encouraged.
During the Open House visitors will have a chance to take in the sweeping scenic view, look at the restoration work, and sign the Lookout guest register. Forest Service representatives will be on hand with educational materials. 2019 is the 75th Anniversary of Smokey Bear for the Forest Service, so there will be additional information about 75 years of forest management and public education about fire suppression and fire’s role in the ecology of a healthy forest. The Sublette County Historic Preservation Board will have lemonade and cookies on hand for refreshments. Please bring a chair and your own bigger lunch and drinks if you would like.
Accommodations are very rustic and there are no services or conveniences at the Lookout. Also, the wind can get very strong at times, so earlier is often better than later to visit the site. Very young children should be carefully supervised at this mountain top location. Sunscreen and mosquito spray also are recommended.
To get to the Deadline Ridge Lookout from Big Piney, go south three miles and take the Calpet Road turn off. Directions are a bit complicated from there, so watch for the Open House directional signs along the way. For those who cannot make the open house, be sure to visit the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney and see the Deadline Lookout display in the white Conservation District building.
For more info call Dawn at 307-360-7689 or email dawn@pinedaleonline.com.
Printable brochure (1.57MB PDF)
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(See Map Below)
From Big Piney (via Lake Ridge)
South on Hwy 189 – 3.2 Miles
Right on Big Piney / Calpet Road (23-134) – 10.5 Miles
Right on Pine Grove Ridge (BLM 5328) – 4.0 Miles (at 3.0 miles stay right)
Right on Dry Basin Draw (BLM 5327) - 1.0 Miles
Left on Lake Ridge – 7.4 Miles
Left on Deadline Ridge (FS 10049) – 0.4 Miles
Right on two track road across from gas plant – 0.7 Miles
From Big Piney (via Pine Grove Ridge)
South on Hwy 189 – 3.2 Miles
Right on Big Piney / Calpet Road (23-134) – 10.5 Miles
Right on Pine Grove Ridge (BLM 5328, FS 10051) – 12.9 Miles (at 3.0 miles stay right)
Right on Deadline Ridge (FS 10049) – 1.6 Miles
Left on two track road across from gas plant – 0.7 Miles |
