The Lookout Inventory has Slide Peak as a lookout in 1935 with an L-5 cab, just 4 years later, being sold in 1939 and removed. The highest point has lots of flat area but nobody has found any remnants. It is possible the fire line trail could have obliterated remnants, but given the short timespan of the lookout, there may never had been much. In my opinion, the location would likely have been just a few feet lower at the east end of the summit where a large open area with good views into areas not visible from the highest point. In fact, the highest point and nearby lookout on Stormy Mountain would not be able to see much of the view from this lower location. The actual summit just seems like a poor location in my opinion. Given I have found no maps or documents pinpointing the location, I wouldn’t be surprised given how large Slide Ridge extends over several miles that the location was in a different place. The communications site to the north on Slide Ridge seems highly suspect and may need a visit. For now, I am settled with the eastern point of Slide Peak on Slide Ridge.
Elevation: 5,598 feet but lookout location uncertain
Hiking Distance: One mile
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Access: High clearance is advised
Washington Fire Lookouts
Route
A fire trail will head east up the ridge. Hike the fire trail to the summit, over the summit and down slightly until you reach the eastern point of the summit.
Access
Take FR59 up Twenty-Five Mile Creek on Lake Chelan. At the major Y, take a left onto FR 8410. Follow up and up as it climbs Slide Ridge. The road follows Slide Ridge for miles. Park after traversing under Slide Peak hitting a saddle on the west side of the peak where there is a huge parking area and campsite. A fire trail will head east up the ridge.
Slide Ridge Lookout Site
Parked at the west side of Slide Peak, just walk the fire trail up the ridge to the top
Lake Chelan from eastern point
Stormy Mountain from Slide Peak
Baldy Mountain from Slide Peak eastern summit
Stormy Mountain from Slide Peak and parking area below
Eastern point looking south
Camping on Slide Ridge before the big climb in the morning
Looking northwest
Looking west
Looking east from eastern point
Route I took to access the summit area
Camping at the saddle