Note for 2020: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors will likely not be permitted inside staffed lookouts to protect the safety and wellness of the person on duty.
Established as a detection point in 1929 with a cupola cabin located slightly to the south, the present live-in cab atop a concrete base was built in 1949. Both structures co-existed for at least a decade, but only the current cabin was used. The cab received major modification in 1989. The lookout is staffed every summer, primarily to protect the Mill Creek Watershed directly below to the west, which is the city of Walla Walla's water supply.
The view from the top includes much more, including Walla Walla and the Columbia Basin to the west, Oregon Butte to the northeast, the Eagle Caps and Seven Devils to the southeast, and the spine of the Blue Mountains to the southwest.
The cache is hidden out of view from the lookout cabin, but the fire spotter on duty knows about it. It is an ammo box with some trading items, the prerequisite logbook, and a couple of writing instruments.
Now for the warnings! The Skyline Road 64 from either the north or south is your access. It is rough and rocky, and can be dusty and/or muddy. Snow can linger on these shady northeast slopes much later than other areas including the summit of Table Rock. Sometimes the road won't open up for vehicular traffic until the second week of July and will seal up with the first good late fall snowstorm. High clearance vehicles are suggested, and 4WD is optional if the road is dry. Finding the cache in the winter might be nearly impossible anyway. The fastest access would be from the north via Dayton but you could make a loop trip of it and arrive or depart via Tiger Canyon.
Also, don't forget to log the 3 benchmarks at the top!
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Not Recommended After Dark Dogs Allowed
Less than 500 ft. from car to cache
Restrooms available
Off-trail Hiking Required Not Accessible in Winter
Scenic View |
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