What a great place for a cache!
🙂Still is a great spot so find it again. 😁
Just off Hwy 160, take the FS road and park by the gate. This area is still open to the public for foot traffic. Mark Twain National Forest still uses this fire tower at times. You can never know when they will show up, open the gate, drive in and climb the stairs. The state has more fire towers than we do, but we still have a few. Fortunately, this one is still here for all to see.
Fire towers where phased out in many places and replaced by aerial flight for spotting fires. Missouri has several and has lost many. Some of the state owned towers are open for climbing to the top. You can google or search for information on any fire tower. We think it's a good place for a cache.
Below can be found on the internet by looking for infomation on Missouri fire tower and Briar tower.
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Briar Fire Lookout Tower – Briar MO
Briar Lookout Tower
Project type: Fire Lookouts, Forestry and Agriculture, Parks and recreation
Description
This fire lookout tower outside Briar was a New Deal project completed in 1936. It is a typical design that is intact including stairway extending to the ground. Access is restricted by a surrounding high chain link fence topped with barbed wire for safety reasons. It is one of the southernmost lookout towers in Missouri.
"Please be aware that collection of historic and prehistoric artifacts or the destruction or defacement of archaeological sites on federal lands is prohibited by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, (16 U.S.C. 470aa-470mm) and the Antiquities act of 1906 (16USC 431-433). First time offenders can be fined up to $20,000 and imprisoned for up to one year. Second time offenders can be fined up to $100,000 and imprisoned for up to 5 years." — Forest Archeologist
I have permission to hide Geocaches on the National forest If you want permission call your local District Office or The main office in Rolla MO.