Went in search of an abandoned firewatch tower
Since moving to this area a couple years ago I'd heard from a few old folks about an abandoned tower that was originally built during WWII and now being left to decay, perhaps used by some hunters during the season. I couldn't find much more about it, other than the general area it was supposed to be, so it took a while to zero in on a place to begin my search for it, but a guy I sometimes trail ride with dropped me a hint a few days ago so I decided to go look.
My first attempt ground to a halt when I met a downed tree across the road. I returned on the four-wheeler later on with a chainsaw, cleared some room to pass and headed toward the highest peak.
The forest road eventually dead ended in a heavily wooded area. I spent some time on foot looking for an old snowmobile trail continuing up the mountain, by the time I found it the biting bugs were doing their best to drive me insane and it was getting late.
Returned to the head of the snowmobile trail the next day and followed the blazes up the mountain passing through some wetlands and forest. After an hour or so the tower appeared through the trees.
Windy as all goddamn and it's pretty sketchy up there due to disrepair. Last pic is a screenshot from a video I made at the top.
I've been fascinated with firewatch towers since watching *Far from home* as a kid and imagining being lost out in the woods, surviving and finding shelter. Playing through Firewatch several times over the years was like returning to those cozy kid's fantasies, the game really captures the magical solitude of these places. I finally got to live it out (less dramatically) and was not disappointed. I plan to go back for sunset sometime and maybe camp for the night.
Much love y'all.