Fire Lookout Host Volunteer Training

[halhiker]

The San Bernardino National Forest has seven Fire Lookouts and these are all staffed by volunteers. The schedule for this year's training schedule was just released so anyone who might be interested in this should put it on their calendar. Other than the good feeling that comes from volunteering and working to protect the mountains we all know so well and love, one of the perks is that you can actually stay in the tower when you volunteer. It's a great perk to have a room with the best imaginable views in Southern California.

There are three towers in the San Jacinto District. There's Tahquitz Peak (this is the only tower in the wilderness that requires a hike in), Black Mountain on the western slope of San Jacinto, near the Boulder Basin Campground and Red Mountain, which is out of Anza, west of Cahuilla Mountain.

There are four towers in the San Bernardino District, which included Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. These are Strawberry Peak, near Lake Arrowhead. Morton Peak, which overlooks Mill Creek. Butler Peak, which is north of Big Bear and Keller Peak, which is south of Big Bear.

I've been doing it for the past two years and always enjoy my time in the tower. You get to meet a lot of great people and what's better than a day in the mountains?

Info on the training is found on this page: http://mountainsfoundation.org/fire-loo ... s/training

Hope you'll consider it.

[Florian]

Thanks Hal. I might really do it this year!

-Florian

[zippetydude]

I paid $70.00 to stay at Morton Peak! It would be so fun to stay for free at any of these places, then have fun "educating" the people who show up and ask about the wilderness and any topics of interest! I appreciate the post hal. I'm with Florian, I can really see doing this. Watching for smoke? No problem. Pointing out landmarks? Too much fun. Talking with people - newbies who have just gotten off their couches, experienced outdoorsy types who know more than I do, and the whole range of people in between - a chance to learn and help and make new friends...how rough is that?! Sounds like a great experience. Cool post, cool thought. See you out there on the trails, or reclining at the top taking in the view. Life keeps gettin' sweeter and sweeter. : )

z

[halhiker]

NOW is the time! There's a training session tonight in Idyllwild or in San Bernardino this weekend. There's no better room with a view than the Tahquitz Peak Lookout so get up there and get trained. http://mountainsfoundation.org/fire-loo ... s/training

[Hikin_Jim]

Man a lookout; save a forest.

HJ

[Florian]

I did orientation and interpretation/natural history training last weekend at Keenwild. Returning next weekend for operations training. Planning to work Tahquitz Peak this summer.

-Florian

[Ulysses]

Hoping I can visit you at the lookout sometime this summer Florian. Wish I had the time to work the lookout again, but unfortunately I've got this darned thing called a "job" now. I think you'll enjoy the experience. Lot's of fun. Sometimes it's a little boring, sometimes it's incredibly exciting, and you'll meet all kinds of interesting (and strange people). The lightning storms I experienced at Tahquitz were some of the wildest things I've ever been through. Thanks for volunteering. Your service will be greatly appreciated.