"Fairview" is something of a misnomer, as the 53-foot tall Fairview Peak Lookout Tower sports an awe-inspiring 360 degree view with a vista unlike any west of the Cascade Range. On a clear day, visitors can see north to Mount Hood, south to Crater Lake and Mt. McLaughlin, and east to many prominent peaks in the Cascade Range.
The 15' x 15' one-room cabin is furnished with a futon, a table with chairs, a propane heater, a cook stove, an oven and a small refrigerator (no cooking utensils are provided). Near the tower is a fire ring, as well as a vault toilet. There is no water on site; visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking, and washing. There is no electricity.
- Availability: Fairview Peak Lookout Tower was determined to have structural deficiencies during a routine inspection. The Forest service is closing this site to protect the health and safety of visitors. It’s unknown at this time when the tower will be repaired and open for public use.
- Price and Capacity: $50 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the lookout.
- Reservations: Reservations must be made at least two days in advance. The maximum-length stay is three consecutive nights. Visit www.recreation.gov to make a reservation.
History
The Fairview Peak site was historically occupied as a fire lookout since the 1920s. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the tower was used as an Air Force "gap filler" radar station. Having a range of around sixty-five miles, these radars were placed in areas where it was thought enemy aircraft could fly low to avoid detection by the lower-range radars of the permanent and mobile radar networks. Gap-filler radar deployment peaked in December 1960 at 131 sites throughout the continental United States. Because the introduction of gap-filler radars alleviated the need for civilians to scan the skies for enemy bombers, the ADC disestablished the Ground Observance Corps on January 31, 1959. The tower continued as a gap-filler radar station until 1964. Today, Fairview Peak is host to private radio towers and Fairview Peak Lookout.
While aerial surveillance has replaced the need for continual summer lookout staffing, the lookout tower is often staffed during high fire danger, frequently during the months of August and September. Fairview Peak is located within the Slide Patented Mining Claim and is private property. However, the side of the mountain summit where the lookout tower is located is Forest Service property.
