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West Twin Butte LO - Mosquito Lake Station

West Twin Butte is a boring peak except for one redeeming quality, their was a former lookout on the summit. Unfortunately, the trees are just about grown high enough to block all views.
Distance: 1/2 mile
Summit Elevations: 4,716 feet
Elevation Gain: 450 feet
Access: Good Gravel to last 1/2 mile, then 4WD
From the Gorge in Carson, go north on Wind River Road for 16 miles. Turn right onto Lone Butte Road for around 10 miles passing Tillicum Campground and Mosquito Lake. Turn left on gravel road (east to follow if you have map) and follow for just over 2 miles to a huge quarry and the trailhead. 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 gravel turn-off (you'll need a Gazetteer). You can also come in from the west through the south side of Mt. St. Helens.
Route:
South Cascades
Access:
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 West Twin Butte Lookout Lemei Rock West Twin Butte Lookout Map
View south to Lemei Rock and Sawtooth Mountain
The lookout foundation
West Twin Butte from Steamboat Mountain
Good Road
4WD
Paved
Paved
Paved
To Steamboat Mtn.
To Carson
To Trout Lake
Former Lookouts
map map twin butte
1931 Map
1939 Recreation Map
Current Map
West Twin Butte in 1950
west twin buttes
Twin Butte Lookout 1924
Lookout History:
In 1912, the lookout is labeled on the 1912 Columbia National Forest map.
In 1923, a D-6 cupola lookout was built after the forested summit was cleared.
In 1935, a 12-foot high wooden L-4 cab was built.
In 1963, the tower and cab were burned.
On the western ridge, about 150 feet below the summit is a lot of debris from the garage.
Looking Southwest 8-12-1935
West Twin Butte West Twin Butte West Twin Butte
1940 Columbia National Forest
1925 Columbia National Forest
West Twin Butte August 11, 1956 Taken by Frank Flack
twin buttes twin buttes
Looking North 8-12-1935
Looking Southeast 8-12-1935
twin butte twin butte
1950 looking NW toward Mt. Rainier
Mosquito Lake and Goat Rocks view in 1950