VIDEO: Volunteers are working to preserve a piece of history high in the Cascade Mountains, repairing the 1930s-era High Rock Lookout near Mount Rainier. The project requires volunteers to hike a steep 1ยฝ-mile trail to reach the site, with supplies carried up by foot and helicopter.
Historic preservation contractor Chris Gustafson is leading the effort with crews carefully dismantling and repairing the original fire lookout. โI feel like weโll be keeping about 80% original, 20% new,โ Gustafson said, describing the restoration process that prioritizes saving as much of the original lumber as possible.
Volunteer Mary Prophit, who calls herself an โunskilled laborer,โ said she spends a couple of days a week on the project. โI retired a few years ago, and I have the luxury of coming up here midweek,โ she said. โThe problems of the world melt away when youโre sitting here looking at these wondrous mountains.โ
High Rock Lookout was once used to spot wildfires, but advances in technology made such structures obsolete. While many lookouts were burned down by the Forest Service, this one was spared and has been maintained by community volunteers. The effort has faced setbacks, including heavy rains and swarms of insects, but volunteers say the work is worth it. โThis is kind of almost like a sacred site,โ Gustafson said. โNow to those that come up here, almost as a pilgrimage to see this spectacular view.โ
The trail has been closed most of the summer to allow the work, but it is scheduled to reopen Sept. 15. Volunteers hope to complete the project before winter, but say they still need donations and more hands.
