UPDATE: The Forest Service decided in 2016 to stop renting Flag Point due to vandalism and the rising costs of keeping it open. We will keep an eye out for any updates, but we are not expecting this to change. FiveMile Butte Lookout is still open and available.

A trip to Flag Point Fire Lookout in the middle of winter is almost the perfect embodiment of an Oregon adventure for me. Having done it four times now, it has always provided a blend of challenge and delight that really feeds my spirit. One year you may have an easy XC ski trip in with perfect conditions, while the next year you may be driving straight into a heavy snowstorm and traveling 10 hours just to reach an ice encrusted lookout with high winds lightly rocking the tower.

Always at the end of your journey is Flag Point itself. An enclosed lookout atop a 40 foot tower with a wood stove for heating, propane burners for cooking, and one of the most spectacular views of Mt. Hood and the surrounding countryside that you can imagine. On a clear day, you can make a cup of tea, grab a book, and simply sit and gaze upon the mountain for hours. Or, alternatively, head out to explore the hills to the West and maybe do a few ski turns off the backside of the butte. During the long nights, you can huddle around the stove, sipping whisky, and discussing your philosophy of life or chuckling while reading journal entries from past visitors.

Mt. Hood from Lookout

As this is Oregon in winter, be prepared for serious winter conditions and check the weather report beforehand. Depending on snow conditions, this can be a relatively easy snowshoe (or even hike) into the tower but it may also be a 10 hour slog through a couple feet of fresh snow. Prepare accordingly and know your limits. Also, it would not be a bad idea to have extra food, extra water, and a spare stove in your car, just in case you do get stuck or want to rest before heading home.

GUIDEBOOKS & MAPS
PERMITS

Parking: Sno-Park permit required at Billy Bob Sno-Park. No permit required if you take alternative approach in and park at the Forest Boundary at the end of Friend Rd. Details below.

RESERVATIONS
  • Price and Capacity: $50 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants.
  • Website: Recreation.gov, spots open up 6 months beforehand and fill up quickly.
  • Call Dufur Ranger Station four days beforehand to get key code for lock.
AVAILABILITY/SEASON

November 1 through May 31.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Option 1. Bill Bob Sno-Park (Google Map)

  • Map of Route
  • Starts at 4000 ft elevation. 10.2 miles, 2300 ft elevation gain
  • Road to Sno-Park is regularly plowed, which is important in winter.
  • Outhouse at Sno-Park and frequently used parking area.

In winter, you approach Billy Bob Sno-Park from the east, via Dufur, as the road is unplowed from the west. After parking at Billy Bob, you travel west along Dufur Valley Rd for a mile and a half and then turn left onto Forest Service Road 4420. In a little over a mile, you will hit a Y junction and head right and start uphill. If you are lucky, earlier visitors to the lookout have already created a track for you to follow and (depending on downed trees) a local snowmobile club may even have groomed part or all of the road.

For the next 2 miles, stay on the main road and gradually make your way uphill with a couple of nice points offering views to your left. Sadly, you start losing elevation and head downhill for a mile and a half until you cross Fifteen Mile Creek. After crossing the creek, you slowly descend for a mile longer and then start ascending again until you reach the turn off for Flag Point Lookout Rd (Forest Service Rd 200). There is a sign here pointing the way and the road is pretty obviously heading up.

Snowshoeing in Fresh Snow

Flag Point Lookout Rd is narrow and can feel like it goes on forever, especially at the end of a long day in a heavy snow year, but it is less than 3 miles to the lookout. A half mile before the end, you will reach a flatter, more open area and there will be a spur road to the left that may confuse you. Stay right and continue the trip upwards. In a quarter mile you will reach a gate, which you will need to go around, and then head the last quarter mile to the Lookout. At the top of the butte is a weather station A-frame, outhouse, two storage sheds, and finally Flag Point Lookout itself.

The first and larger storage shed is the one that contains the firewood for the stove. You may have to dig out the door a bit (check the smaller shed for a shovel) and also use the axe to reduce the size of the wood logs a bit. I commonly grab an armload of wood before heading up the lookout so I can start a fire immediately.

The lookout stairs may be icy and have snow, so be careful and clear them with the shovel if necessary. At the top of the stairs is a heavy metal gate that leads up to the catwalk. Unlock it, if necessary, and then push upwards. It can be quite heavy so give it a solid heave. Finally, walk around the catwalk and go inside. Enjoy!

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Option 2. Forest Boundary at end of Friend Rd. (Google Map)

  • Map of Route
  • Starts at 3000 ft elevation. 8.7 miles, 2700 ft elevation gain.
  • No guarantee road is plowed.
  • Rarely used except by those going to lookout.

This route starts at the Forest Boundary at the end of Friend Rd, which is about 10 miles southwest of Dufur, Oregon–as the crow flies. These are backroads and can be a bit confusing, so I suggest you use Google Maps to get directions from Dufur.

The route starts at a lower elevation than Billy Bob Sno-Park and trims 1.5 miles off the journey, so you have a slightly steeper overall climb. However, there is no loss of elevation on this route and it genuinely feels like the easier approach. Beware that if there is snow forecasted, you absolutely must have snow tires or chains as you can easily get stuck and even might be plowing the road with your car bumper.

Car Buried in Snow on Friend Rd. The Lookout is 2700' higher in elevation and received twice this amount in a 24 hour period.

The route to Flag Point is reasonably straightforward. Park your car at the Forest Boundary and head up Camp Friend Rd. There will be multiple intersecting roads but you want to stay on what feels like the main road heading west. If you keep an eye out, you should see a couple signs indicating the direction of Flag Point.

At 3.1 miles, the road veers south a bit and there is a steeper uphill section. This is where the road becomes Cold Springs Rd. You follow this road along the ridge line all the way to Forest Service Rd 200 (aka Flag Point Lookout Rd). If the weather is clear, you will actually catch a glimpse of the lookout off to the south at one of the viewpoints.

Around 5.4 miles from the Forest Boundary you will reach Forest Service Rd 200, which will be on your left. This is Flag Point Lookout Rd.

Flag Point Lookout Rd is narrow and can feel like it goes on forever, especially at the end of a long day in a heavy snow year, but it is less than 3 miles to the lookout. A half mile before the end, you will reach a flatter, more open area and there will be a spur road to the left that may confuse you. Stay right and continue the trip upwards. In a quarter mile you will reach a gate, which you will need to go around, and then head the last quarter mile to the Lookout. At the top of the butte is a weather station A-frame, an outhouse, two storage sheds, and finally Flag Point Lookout itself.

The first and larger storage shed is the one that contains the firewood for the stove. You may have to dig out the door a bit (check the smaller shed for a shovel) and also use the axe to reduce the size of the wood logs a bit. I commonly grab an armload of wood before heading up the lookout, so I can immediately start a fire once I am up there.

The lookout stairs may be icy and have snow, so be careful and clear them with the shovel if necessary. At the top of the stairs is a heavy metal gate that leads up to the catwalk. 4 times out of 5, I have found the metal gate already unlocked. Unlock it, if necessary, and then push upwards. It can be quite heavy so give it a solid heave. Finally, walk around the catwalk and go inside. Enjoy!

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