Sulphur Butte Lookout Site

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Sulphur Butte is located in a very inaccessible location, even though it is just a short distance from roads on a map. Our access required a large creek crossing, an ankle twisting lava field scramble, and a steep 600 foot forested hill climb. The payoff was the historic ruins at a seldom visited location, and a feeling of stepping into history.
Drive the North Cascades Highway east of Sedro Woolley 14.5 miles to the signed Baker Lake Road. Follow for 12.5 miles, then a left turn on FR 12 just after a bridge. Follow for around 2 miles to an abandoned road on the left (see map). Park at the blockade. The original trail came from the south.
Access:
Elevation: 2,262 feet
Distance: 1.8 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 846 feet cumulative gain
Road Access: Good Gravel
County: Whatcom
Former Lookouts
See map. Follow the old road over a bridge that crosses Sulphur Creek. When the road makes the final western turn, leave the road and walk into the woods south toward Rocky Creek. The creek is in a small canyon that is difficult to find access across. Walking upstream a short distance, we were able find an old-growth tree that had fallen across the gorge. The terrain on the other side requires going upstream a bit anyway. On the south side of Rocky Creek is an old lava field with awkward footing and some brush issues. Once through, the base of the hillside is reached with open steep forest. Climb up and some traversing east will bring you to an obvious ridgeline. If you reach the young stand of trees, you are too high. Follow the ridge down to flat terrain and the lookout remain.
Our Route
sulphur butte lookout sulphur butte lookout sulphur butte lookout
North - 2014
Looking North - 1935
Looking Southeast - 1935
Looking Southwest - 1935
Same view Southeast - 2014
Southwest - 2014
sulphur butte Rocky Creek forest climb Living quarters old bridge Storage cellar Foundation footing sulphur bute sulphur butte sulphur butte lookout sulphur butte firewood pile tin can canister sulphur butte lookout map lookout timbers Old pail sulphur bute Stove pipe
Starting up the hillside
Climbing up, looking at the ridgeline above where the lookout site is located.
Crossing Rocky Creek
Old pail
Foundation footing
Old firewood pile
Living quarters
Living quarters
Storage cellar
Eyebolt, storage celler, old foundation
Old trail bridge near the start of the hike
Burned timbers from the lookout tower
Stove pipe
Lookouts HOME
In 1935, a 20-foot high tower with an L-4 cab was built.
In 1935, panorama photos were taken by Wernstedt.
In 1942, the AWS used the site for spotting enemy aircraft threats.
In 1959, the lookout was abandoned.
In 2014 during our visit, we found the remnants of a lookout tower, a living quarters, and a storage cellar and two firewood woodpiles.
Lookout History:
Sulphur Butte Lookout AWS access AWS observers map
1935 Baker River Recreation Area Map
Sulpher Butte around 1937 William Revord photo (Darvill collection)
1942 AWS observers
1942 AWS access