Jay Toups

We can see this lookout perched high on the mountaintop from our driveway. It is about 4 miles away, and over 3,000 feet higher. It only took me 9 years to work up the nerve to make the hike up there, mainly because it has a reputation as a “thigh burner” hike: it is a very steep and unrelenting “stair stepper” trail. But it was well worth the effort, even with all the smoke from the nearby fires. It is absolutely breathtaking to view over the edge of the cliff this 70+ year old lookout is perched on.

The abandoned USFS lookout, which shall remain unnamed, is lovingly maintained by locals who call themselves the West Fork Ski Club. It is an ideal destination anytime of the year, including winter, if you can handle the long climb up!

The smoke was thick and the ash falling at night looked like snowflakes in the flash of my camera.

Even with limited visibility, this is a fabulous local hike I will do again and again for obvious reasons.

Here’s a panoramic video from the top of Castle Rock, at the the top of Nez Perce Pass. Nez Perce Road off of the West Fork Highway is a historic Indian migration and hunting trail through southwest Montana and central Idaho. The intermediate-level 3.5 mile hike to this alpine vista is stunning, with “forever” views in all directions.

Shots of White Pockets area of the Paria plateau in southern Utah.

Click pics with borders for full size pics!