[Now I Fly]

Perpetrations for Granite Mountain Lookouts new roof began this weekend. Volunteer's organized by the Snoqualmie Fire Lookout Association attempted to pack supplies to the lookout with the use of Lammas. Apparently the Lammas were a young team and chose not to participate, traveling less than a mile up the trail. I spoke with a SFLA volunteer at the lookout. He mentioned the material would probably be carried up by hand. I'm guessing there will be opportunity to join in on the fun when it is scheduled. They plan to repackage the bundles into lighter load (20 lbs.) I'm not a member of SFLA but would love to help on moving day.

Preparing for a new roof for the Granite Mountain Lookout

Preparing for a new roof for the Granite Mountain Lookout

Preparing for a new roof for the Granite Mountain Lookout

Cheers!

[altasnob]

Just curious, Granite Mountain is in wilderness. Are they allowed to repair the roof even thought its in wilderness because they are hiking in the materials and repairing on spot, rather than flying the lookout off site via helis like they did with Green Mountain?

[Snowshovel]

Yes. In fact, supplies could arguably be helicoptered on, especially for active fire lookouts

[Kim Brown]

The Green Mtn LO was removed from the summit not because it needed roof installation, but because it was off-kilter and the summit needed foundation work. Lookouts in wilderness can legally receive repair work. 3 Fingers is /has received extensive roof work this year as well. I feel bad for the llama owners. Granite was probably an exciting contract for them. Too bad it didn't work out!

[RichP]

[HikerJohn]

Hi folks, Snoqualmie Fire Lookouts Association (SFLA) was set up last year to take on the care of the lookouts in the Snoqualmie Ranger District, including Granite. Granite definitely needs a new roof, and by wilderness rules we are allowed to "repair" but given the Wilderness Area rules, no way we could get a permit for a helo flight. So after being turned down by horse/mule packers, we hit upon the idea of Llamas-- it WAS a good idea, but the Llamas were fairly young and green, so they only made it about 1/4 way up before going on strike and laying down. We unloaded what they were carrying and most of this load was carried up to the lookout by SFLA volunteers or members of the public (yay!!! ). Now we have about 3/4 of the roofing staged back in North Bend, and will be setting up a "Haul Day" and inviting the public to help us out (we'll probably be handing out coffee cards to those who haul a bundle). Current bundles are 20 lbs, but we'll be dividing some down to 10 lb size, plus have securing materials (para cord, bungees, etc) to help secure loads to peoples packs. Yes, llama packers were disappointed, but they'll pack another day. For now, we are back to doing this the old fashioned way. As an aside, I'll put in a shameless plug for SFLA-- we are always looking for more volunteers. This year we staffed up Suntop and Kelly Butte, repainted the inside of KB, spot painted the outside of Suntop, worked more on the new, improved trail for Suntop, talked to over 3,000 visitors to those lookouts, logged over 2,000 hours of service, and even spotted two fires. Want to know more? Go to www.snoqualmielookouts.org Yours, John Hearing AKA Hiker John Chairperson, Snoqualmie Fire Lookouts Association

[zimmertr]

I'll haul a bundle up work schedule permitting!

[Kim Brown]

John, I wonder if local firehouses might invite firefighters to use this as a fitness opportunity. also JBLM training. When I worked for WTA these groups called frequently asking for suggestions to train ( But the military would probably have more than 12 heartbeats).

[Stefan]

When is the "HAUL DAY"? If I have time off of work, can I bring bundles up before the "HAUL DAY"?

[Foist]

They might have some trouble finding volunteers for building a lookout in which they'll basically never be allowed inside.

[neek]

[Anne Elk]

Kibbitzer observation: It's going to be re-roofed with wood shakes? Might be more historic, but seems unwise given the modern fire stats. Just sayin'.

[altasnob]

[BigBrunyon]

There is a movement to install hot tubs in these things!! Gaining traction!!

[HikerJohn]

Hey Anne, not really our choice-- USFS owns the lookouts and has mandated trying to preserve the historic look as much as possible... We are at least changing over to shakes instead of shingles (more durable). Plus if there is a ground fire, shakes won't make much difference-- the rest of the wood is very dry and will burn readily, so we would hope USFS gets a crew up to wrap it in mylar. Or better, no fires on Granite!!