COLORADO LOOKOUTS
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN (PORPHYRY)
Pitkin County
Sopris National Forest
Sopris National Forest
NOTE: This site or sites may go by a number of different names or references. All of which were located northeast of Aspen along the trail system to Norrie and Thomasville. The sites have been called Lookout Mountain, Lookout Peak, Sawmill and Porphyry Peak. So I will lump them altogether and sort it out as I can.
May 17, 1913: "Just as soon as the snow is sufficiently gone to allow work, the Lenado line will be finished on through to the top of the Lookout peak at the head of Woody creek.
Every effort is being made to place the forest on the best protective basis for fire prevention." (Aspen Democrat)
June 18, 1913: "The five miles of new telephone line between Lenado and Lookout peak, now under construction by the forestry service, will be completed within the next few days. This line will place Aspen in direct communication with the rangers covering the country between the Roaring and the Frying Pan." (Aspen Democrat)
September 11, 1913: "Russell Shields and Will Wack left this morning for Lookout station at the head of Hunter creek, where the former's father is camped out and waiting for the bots to show them a good time." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
September 24, 1913: "William Shields reports nine inches of snow on Lookout peak. The first break of the season occurred on the Lookout telephone line yesterday morning above Lenado. A new form of construction was used on this line wherever it enters the timber. The wire was left entirely slack and was run through porcelain knobs wired to trees. Whenever a tree falls across the line the wire simply pulls through the knobs and goes to the ground, but does not seriously affect the working of the line until the trees are removed.
Lookout Shields spent last night in town after patrolling the line." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
November 13, 1913: "Rangers Ashlock, Swearingin and Shields have finished the brush burning in the vicinity of the Scott Mill on Woody creek and are now burning the brush and debris which resulted from the construction of the telephone line between Aspen and the lookout point." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
February 26, 1914: "Out of twenty-two fires occurring on the Sopris forest during the past season, seventeen were noted and reported by the fire guard stationed on the lookout peak. Fifty-eight fire boxes are placed at advantageous points from which fire fighters could be equipped on short notice, and additional equipment will be located as soon as the fire season opens." (Aspen Democrat)
July 14, 1914: "The forest fire lookout is now stationed on Lookout mountain. The phone line will be 'working' in a few days." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
July 18, 1914: "Walter Fisher was in town last evening from his station on Lookout mountain." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
August 3, 1914: "Walter Fisher returned to Lookout mountain yesterday after two days stay in town." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
September 18, 1914: "L.H. Burch came to town last evening from Lookout mountain where he is keeping his eyes peeled for forest fires for the government." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
May 14, 1915: "Mr. Charles Teas, who has been postmaster at Norrie for several years will preside on Lookout Peak during the present summer. As soon at the snow will permit, it is planned to move the lookout station from Mt. Lookout to the old sawmill on the Norrie trail at the head of Woody creek. This location is considered preferable to the old one since it commands a better view of the country and is directly over large bodies of timber close at hand." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
August 11, 1915: "Joe Leonard came in on the Grande yesterday from the new lookout station near Thomasville to visit his family." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
August 23, 1915: "Harold Burch came in town Saturday evening from the new lookout station near Norrie." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
May 25, 1916: "It is planned to have the lookout guard on duty beginning June 15. The new lookout tower is more readily accessible than the old point and is located but a half mile off the main trail from Aspen to Norrie. Just as good a view can be secured from this point and a forty-foot tower enables one to pick out the various peaks in this locality with accuracy. The view of the mountains is superb and each one who contemplates a pleasure trip for the coming season should not fail to arrange their journey to take in this point. The lookout point is exactly 13 miles from Aspen, via Lenado, and the man on duty there will be glad to show you around. There is a good trail all the way." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
June 17, 1918: "Arthur Hull, Jr., whose home is now in Denver is visiting friends in town. Arthur will leave this evening for Norrie, from which point he will go to the lookout station on the summit of Porphyry mountain and look out for the welfare of the forests for Uncle Sam during the summer. He is a sturdy lad and nothing will slip by him." (Aspen Democrat)
July 5, 1918: "Art Hull Jr., enjoyed his Fourth in the city, from Lookout Mt." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
August 29, 1918: "Art Hull, Jr. left yesterday afternoon for Lookout Mt. where he is holding down an important position in the Forest service." (Aspen Democrat-Times)
1919: "The fire-lookout station of the Sopris National Forest. elevation 11,700 feet, is easily accessible by trail from Norrie and Aspen, being situated 1 mile from the Aspen-Norrie trail. There is a 40-foot tower with a glassed-in crow's nest, telephone, and shelter cabin. At this observation point a Forest officer is stationed during the summer season to watch for fires. The field of view from the lookout tower extends over two-thirds of the entire Forest and includes some marvelous scenery." (A Summer Vacation in the Sopris national forest)