West Twin Butte Lookout - Mosquito Lake Station

West Twin Butte is a boring peak except for one redeeming quality, their was a former lookout on the summit. That alone will direct many peakbaggers attention to the summit. Unfortunately, the trees are just about grown high enough to block all views. If you stand on the summit rocks balancing, you can get a small view. The summit trees were cleared in 1923 for a 12 by 12 ground lookout building with a cupola. In the 30's, it was replaced by a hip-roof cabin elevated 12 feet above ground.

From the gorge in Carson, go north on Wind River Road for 16 miles. Turn right onto Lone Butte Road for around 9 miles to another right that goes toward a campground. Use the map below at that point. From the north, it's much more complicated, take FR 23 south out of Randle to FR 90. Take FR 88 up and over to Big Tire Junction, turn right on FR 885 (Lone Butte Road), follow to the turn-off south of Mosquito Lake (you'll need a Gazetteer). You can also come in from the west through the south side of Mt. St. Helens.

If you have high clearance 4WD, West Twin Butte can be a fun challenge to get up avoiding a fall into the road ruts. Most will want to walk the last section of road. I would guess the Forest Service occasionally grades the road so you might get lucky. Up to point 4260 marked on USGS maps, the road was well maintained and any car could get there. That just leaves about a half mile of walking. The road ends just below the highpoint. You still must do some bushwhacking to reach the summit. There is a nice trail, the brush is the problem, it has overgrown the trail although the trail tread is still there. At the end of the road, look for the trail to the right with in the main turn around area.

West Twin Butte LO - Mosquito Lake Station