Bald Mountain Lookout Site
Bald Mountain (or Big Bald) was likely in use in 1929 when panoramic photos were taken. The pictures show a few wooden items and a ground telephone line. The images were taken at ground level, a very short distance SE of the tree covered summit. In 1931, a 50 foot steel tower was built at the highest point, along with an accompanying log cabin. A few years later in 1934 panoramic images were taken from this steel tower. The photo crew also went to the Devils Slide patrol point 2 miles to the west the same day.
A second lookout tower was built in 1955, a 38 foot tall L-4 tower. The summit has 2 sets of footings and a USGS party in 1957 said that the new lookout was built in a new location just 35 feet to the SE from the original metal tower. The story below would also suggest the metal lookout was next to the new 38 foot tall L-4 cab.
One of the lookouts in 1957 wasn't too impressed with the location, he did recall about the site "it’s only memorable features were the old log cabin and steel tower of the earlier site that remained for exploration".
The 1955 tower was destroyed in 1972. Not date on when the steel tower was removed but the fire observer said it was there the summer of 1957 and the USGS party didn’t mention it in 1957. Maybe removed in the fall of 1957.
The Kresek inventory says that the 1955 tower was built one mile SE of the summit. If you go there, indeed, there is some evidence of a patrol point or even a structure. My gut thinks this location was just another patrol point but it could have had the L-4.
Elevation: 5,898 feet and 5,750 feet
Distance: Drive-up
Access: High-clearance best
Washington Lookouts
Most any vehicle should be able to get to the ridge using Rock Creek Road. Once on the ridge, the road deteriorates after a half mile. Most trucks and SUVs can get all the way to the summit site. Take Highway 410 to the Rock Creek Road. Follow Rock Creek Road (FS1702) until FR530. Last bit gets steep.
Access:
Bald Mountain metal lookout tower 1934
1937 Naches area recreation map
Bald Mountain Cabin
Southwest 7-18-1934 at 53 feet
Southeast 7-18-1934 at 53 feet
North 7-18-1934 at 53 feet
South 1929
Northwest 1929
Two panoramics taken just below the summit in 1929
A second patrol point for Bald Mountain Lookout about 2 miles away on the ridge.
South 2019
Northwest 2019
The 1929 photos were taken from the bald area on right side of this picture because there was no tower on the summit at that time and trees blocked the views without a tower.
The patrol point one mile Southeast of the summit
Bald Mountain summit with 2 sets of footings
Likely first step of the steel tower
Looking southwest with the hillside matching the panoramic
This upside down footing hints of some kind of structure
Treated timbers
Stacked rocks, footing, timbers and view
From the eastern patrol point looking west up to Bald Mountain forested summit area
Footings on the summit of Bald Mountain