HIRZ MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

About HIRZ MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

Overview The McCloud River Wintu tribe held Hirz Mountain in reverence and had a name for it in their own language. But it was a white miner, Henry Hirz, who gave the mountain its modern name. Hirz was a gold miner who lived on Hirz Creek in the 1860s and was one of the earliest white men in the McCloud River country. When the lookout was built, it was originally a structure that sat on the ground. The mountain was a strategic location for detecting fires because it had a direct view into the headwaters of the McCloud River and most of its tributaries. In 1937, the Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rebuilt the Hirz Mountain Lookout cabin and included a garage and outhouse. It was one of the last CCC-era lookouts to be built. In 1949, a steel tower was added, constructed of a steel K-brace tower that stands 20 feet above ground level. Coming here is not for the faint of heart. The access road is rocky and steep with limited visibility - high clearance vehicles are recommended - and the last quarter-mile must be traversed on foot. Those who make the journey are rewarded with unforgettable views of the landscape by day and the stars at night.Recreation The main recreational activities at Hirz Mountain Lookout are sightseeing and stargazing, and this is an ideal setting for those with a passion for photography. Visitors may want to bring binoculars to go birding and wildlife watching. There are also opportunities to hike, mountain bike and hunt in the area.Facilities There are two twin beds offering sleeping space for two people. There is a picnic table below the lookout and a compostingtoilet in a separate building. Cabinets and dressers are available for storage. Visitors will find cleaning supplies for tidying up the cabin when they leave. The lookout has no cooking facilities, linens, bedding, water or electricity. Visitors must bring enough water for the length of their stay, as well as garbage bags to pack out their trash. Appropriate footwe

How to Get There

From Redding, California, take Interstate 5 north approximately 20 miles to Gilman Road, exit 698. Turn right and follow Gilman Road approximately 5 miles to road 35N04. Turn left on the road 35N04. This steep, rocky, dirt road is not recommended for low clearance passenger vehicles. Travel approximately 5 miles to the locked gate. Due to rocky, slippery, steep terrain, the last quarter-mile section of road access to the lookout is for foot traffic only.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to HIRZ MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

Heading to HIRZ MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)