The Siskiyou Mountains surround Bear Basin Butte Lookout. (Photo- Six Rivers National Forest)

A mile high in the Siskiyou Mountains, one can soak up a 360-degree panorama across the headwaters of the Smith, Klamath, and Illinois rivers, admire the last rays of the setting sun as it sinks into the Pacific Ocean, then relax in the relative luxury of a mountaintop cabin. This is all thanks to the vision and generosity of Bill Pierson of Pierson Building Center and the support and enthusiasm of the staff of the Smith River National Recreation Area.

In 1996, Bill Pierson and his General Manager Morgan Randall directed their team to assist the Forest Service in relocating the former Camp Six fire lookout to its new home on Bear Basin Butte. Taking the ambitious project a step further, over the following years, the Pierson Building Center team transported all the necessary tools and materials to the remote peak and assembled the aptly named (and disabled-accessible) “Pierson Cabin.” Then they went on to build an adjacent custom vault toilet building. The lookout and cabin help generate reservation revenue for the Six Rivers National Forest, but more importantly, provide unforgettable recreation experiences through which visitors deepen connections with the stunning Smith River National Recreation Area.

Key support for Rock Creek Ranch

In 2000, General Manager Morgan Randall and other Pierson Building Center team members learned of SRA’s newly acquired Rock Creek Ranch. They recognized its potential as a vital conservation hub for the Klamath Mountains bioregion and as a spectacular on-river bookend to the Pierson Cabin and Bear Basin Butte Lookout. As experts in building maintenance and construction, the Pierson Building Center team especially understood the infrastructure upgrades and repairs necessary for Rock Creek Ranch structures to meet that potential. Over the next quarter-century under Morgan’s thoughtful oversight, the Pierson Building Center team donated essential building materials, made key introductions to vendors, and even provided labor for priority Ranch projects, earning a reputation as one of SRA’s most dedicated and generous River Guardians. After 46 years with the company, Morgan recently announced his impending retirement. We would like to extend sincere appreciation to the Pierson Building Center and to Morgan for being at the forefront of its conservation legacy. We will forever be grateful for their support and partnership!

Whatever your business’s capacity, if you love the Smith River watershed, SRA needs your help! For more information, visit the River Guardian webpage or contact us at riverguardians@smithriveralliance.org. And please patronize fantastic River Guardians like Pierson Building Center!