congrats to PPANTHER and GRUMPYOLDTEXAN for their chilly and breezy FTF
Ruidoso Lookout
There are 2 lookout towers in the Lincoln National Forest, Ruidoso Lookout and Monjeau Lookout. Most locals and tourists know only about Monjeau and it receives a lot of visitors each year. Ruidoso Lookout is more visible, but receives fewer visitors in comparison. Anyone driving down the main road can see the lookout, but even local residents are unaware of how easy it is to visit it. The views are incredible, very worth the short drive and hike to GZ. This was an easy choice for my virtual 4.0 reward. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
History
The Ruidoso Lookout Tower was completed in 1940 by the U.S. Forest Service to serve as a fire lookout tower within Lincoln National Forest. It remains in active use for detection of urban/suburban fires in the town of Ruidoso, which has grown over the years to surround the tower. The structure is a 30’ Aermotor tower with metal catwalks and is topped with a 14’x14’ wooden cab. Aermotor, 1888, is best known for their windmills that dot the landscape. The cab has room for a small cot, a propane heater and a crude refrigerator consisting of a hatch built into the wood floor accessing a large box where perishables and ice were stored (the melted ice then dripped down to the ground). In the center of the square room sits an Osborne fire finder. A circular turning board with mounted sights is used to pinpoint a smoke. A topographic map under a piece of glass is then used to determine a legal description that could be radioed in.
This type of lookout is unusual and rare in the Southwestern Region, with only one other known, and it is located in the Gila National Forest. This structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 27, 1988, as well as on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties.
The first detonation of a nuclear device by the Manhattan Project at Trinity Site was observed by Herbert Lee Traylor, the forest ranger on duty at the Ruidoso Lookout tower at the time of the explosion.
Information
Although the public is not allowed into the cab or on the catwalk, the land under the tower is part of the Lincoln National Forest and is accessible by foot up a dirt trail from the parking lot located off Lookout Drive. Park at the locked gate and walk the 0.2 mile to the top. The hike is not long, but slightly steep. Take your time and come prepared with water and sunscreen. Watch your step and small kids at the top while you enjoy the view.
To claim this Virtual Cache as a find:
hike the short distance to gz, then message or email me through Geocaching.com with the answer to the following question AND then post the required photo with your log.
1. What are the 5 letter/numbers STAMPED in to several metal beams?
2. Post a photo of you or a personal item near the base of the tower (posted coordinates)
DO NOT post the answer in your logs
Any "Found it" logs without submitting the required information and posting the photo will be deleted without notice
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.