Bear Basin Butte

On a fine day in early fall Peter Douglas loaded up his car with a few local friends and took a drive into the Smith River National Recreation Area in the Siskiyou Mountains. He had reserved the Bear Basin Lookout and after winding around the mountains and passing the Ship Mountain Lookout, we landed at our final destination- Bear Basin Butte.

View of Hurdygurdy Creek drainage from the Lookout

Clear skies punctuated with wispy clouds made for great views across the entire watershed.

Grant Werschkull and Clarke Moore on the Lookout

The Lookout is typically only open for reservation between July 1-September 30, but if it is a warm dry fall it may stay open later. View the Forest Service Webpage for more information. Visitation is by overnight reservation only.

View of Preston Peak from the Lookout

The party of four, below, enjoyed a glorious afternoon basking in the golden fall light. We enjoyed fall colors scattered around the mountainsides as the vine maple and big leaf maple changed color.

Haven Livingston, Grant Werschkull, Peter Douglas, Clark Moore, at the Lookout