The south face of Lookout Mountain drops steeply to Gumjuwac Saddle. Both the south and west faces of this shield volcano were carved by glaciers. The rock outcrops and cliffs here are colored almost black by lichen. During the preceding night, clouds rising up and flowing over the summit have left a thick coat of rime ice, a form of frost, on the south sides of trees and rocks. It's easy to see why there are so many contorted, dead snags on this side of the mountain.
Lookout Mountain is 6525 feet in altitude and is 8 miles almost due east of the summit of Mount Hood. The views of Mt. Hood are spectacular. The trail leading to the summit of Lookout Mtn from High Prairie passes through some fine wildflower meadows. The trail is actually the former access road to a fire lookout that was built on top of Lookout Mountain in the 30s. All that remains of the lookout today is the concrete foundation.
Related Photos:
Ash Creek Images
Photographs of the West by Doug Gorsline
Rime Ice Coats the Cliffs and Trees of Lookout Mountain near Mount Hood.
