Columbia Mtn. Lookout

"I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend."

From the parking lot, follow the Kettle Crest Trail north, quickly passing under the main powerline serving the town of Republic. The tread is quite gentle, switchbacking countless times up the south side of Columbia Mountain. After about 3/4 mile, the trail heads decidedly north along the west side of the mountain, in and out of timber, giving excellent views of the 1988 White Mountain Fire burn area to the south, and the rolling mountains of the Okanogan Highlands to the west. On clear days, the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains can be seen.

After approximately 1.5 miles, the Kettle Crest Trail heads west. Soon you will locate the Columbia Mountain trail #24 heading uphill to the southeast. Recent changes in trail alignment has lengthened the distance but has made the grade much easier to the summit. 1/2 mile up the Columbia Mtn. Trail is another intersection marked as the Columbia Mountain Loop. Bear left (north) at this junction, hiking another 1/3 mile to an unmarked junction. Downhill to the left you can pick up bits and pieces of the old Columbia Mtn. trail. Turn right, headed toward the summit, making up much of the elevation needed to obtain it which was not gained on the endless meandering switchbacks up until this point.

Another 1/3 mile and you'll reach the summit of Columbia Mountain, 6782'. At the top, you'll find an early fire lookout cabin, constructed in 1914 of hand-hewn logs. Time and weather at this elevation have not been kind to the cabin, which has considerable rot on some of the timbers. At one time, a 15' covered platform protruded above the cabin, serving as the lookout tower. This was removed when a live-in tower replaced it in 1928. Ruins of the second tower can still be found 100' to the southeast of the cabin. The site was abandoned as a lookout station in the 1950's.

Views from the summit are patchy due to the scattered trees, but moving around them you can see south along the burned Kettle Crest, east to the Colville Valley and more mountains of Northeast Washington, north along the Kettle Crest, and west to the Cascades and Okanogan Highlands. In the fall, the hills literally have a golden glow with the changing of the Western Larch.

Distance: about 2.5 miles one way
Hiking time up: 90 minutes
Hiking time down: 60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Finding the trailhead: From Republic, Washington, drive east on Highway 20 to the summit of Sherman Pass, 5575'. From Kettle Falls, Washington, drive west of Highway 20 to the same location. Trailhead and parking are located 1/4 mile off the highway to the north.

Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.

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