"I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend."
MT. BONAPARTE TRAIL
Hike to a spectacular 360 degree view from the highest point in the Okanogan Highlands (7258’), with a staffed fire lookout tower (July-September) and historic lookout cabin. Be sure to dress for cold weather! What may seem like a nice, warm summer day at the trailhead will likely be a cool, breezy day atop the mountain. The summit can have snowstorms even in the middle of the summer.
This trail is open to horses, hikers, and ATVs (this is how the lookout hauls his supplies to the tower). Use the lower trailhead for horse and ATV trailer parking. For a shorter hike, drive the extra mile up the road to the upper trailhead. Parking is limited here, so be courteous and don’t block anybody in.
The trail heads southerly, starting out somewhat steeply, but levels out to a nice gentle forest stroll after about 1/2 mile. At about a mile, the accent gets serious again, and the trail becomes more rocky the higher you go. You’ll pass a junction with an alternate (and less maintained) trail that comes from Bonaparte Lake to the east and also the southside of the mountain. The lookout trail continues its way upward via several switchbacks, which will cross over an older and more direct (steeper!) trail of the past. After passing the Antoine trail junction, the summit is within 1/2 mile. You won’t be able to see the lookout until you’re practically at it. Please be courteous and announce your arrival before climbing the tower. The lookout will sometimes be too busy doing his job to notice your arrival, and since the wind is always blowing through the tower, won’t hear you coming either. This is his summer home, so be respectful.
The small cabin below the tower is the first lookout, built in 1914 of hand-hewn logs. At one time it had a covered, open-air platform tower above it. The wooden and concrete square base next to it was the location of the second lookout tower built in 1930. The present lookout was built in 1961 of prefabricated sections that were flown to the summit via helicopter. Views from the tower include the Okanogan Highlands and the peaks of British Columbia to the north, the Kettle Crest to the east, the mountains of the Colville Indian Reservation to the south, and the Okanogan Valley and the Cascades to the west.
Distance one way: 3.5 miles
Hiking time up: 2 hours
Hiking time down: 1 hour 15 minutes
Elevation gain: about 2600'
Difficulty: Moderate-difficult
Driving directions:
From Tonasket Washington, take the Havillah Road northeast out of town (should be signed for Sitzmark Ski Bowl), to nearly 16 miles and the small community of Havillah. Turn right at the south end of Havillah, signed for Lost Lake. Pavement turns to gravel, and the beginning of Forest Service Road 33. At about 4 miles, turn right on road 300, signed for Bonaparte Trailhead. It’s about 2 miles to the upper trailhead from here.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions.
-->