Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower on the Ashley National Forest in Utah - short version

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The Ute Mountain Lookout was the first and is the last standing fire tower with living quarters above ground in Utah. The tower offers a panoramic view of the Ashley National Forest and surrounding area. From it, an observer can see a 360 degree view of miles of virtually uninhabited northeastern slope of the Uinta Mountain Range. Between 1935-1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the tower. The tower served as the fire lookout's living quarters, thirty feet above the ground in a fourteen by fourteen foot space. The Tower was used as a fire lookout tower from 1937 to 1968, closed from 1969 to 1986, rededicated August 21, 1987 and used as an interpretive historic site from 1987 to 2008, closed from 2009 to 2014, and now will be reopened as both fire lookout and interpretive historic site in 2015. Ute Tower was a tourist attraction until its closing September, 2008. Inspections revealed some decay in the tower legs and stairway. The tower was closed until repairs were made. A rededication ceremony was held September 20, 2014.
Due to the tower's role in forest history and the efforts of those who preserved and restored it for operational use, Ute Lookout is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it stands as a monument to a part of our cultural heritage-the early years of fire prevention and detection of the Forest Service. You can visit the tower and see what life is like for fire lookouts. The tower is located south of Manila, Utah, two and one-half miles west of Sheep Creek Geologic Loop. Take the turn off towards Spirit Lake, the road is unpaved and narrow. Hiking trails into the surrounding forest also begin at the tower parking area. The tower is open Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day Weekend, Friday thru Monday. Funding provided by the Ashley National Forest Resource Advisory Committee through Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah Counties under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and an agreement with HistoriCorps led to the restoration of the lookout.
Filmed and edited by Charity Parks.

[@Gamemaster0225]

Firewatch brought me here

[@josephpreston4373]

Same. I wish this job was as simple as it was in the 80s. Nowadays the lookouts have computers and phone reception.

[@johncatron9905]

Neat place!

[@aadrianlee]

MISSING 411 ( ;