Milk Ranch Peak Lookout
US 2071, CA 164
Milk Ranch Peak Lookout

Milk Ranch Peak Lookout - courtesy of Rene' Ardesch

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 2071, CA 164 (view other lookout sites in United States, California)
Date Registered October 3, 2021
Nominated by Brad Eells
Location Sequoia National Park
Tulare County, California
Coordinates N 36° 29.181' W 118° 46.848' (view using Google Maps)
N 36° 29' 11" W 118° 46' 51"
N 36.486345° W 118.780792°
Elevation 6,250 ft (1,905 m)
Built 1964
Removed 2021
Administered by National Park Service

Description

Located on the north end of Milk Ranch Peak, the all steel CL-100 plan 13x13 cabin on a 20 foot K-Brace open steel tower was constructed in 1964.

The new lookout replaced an earlier structure built as early as 1927.

Bob Roberts and Rose Vaughn served as long time lookouts in the 1930's through the 50's.

Milk Ranch Peak was last staffed in 1996 but remained in remarkable condition, ready to serve in emergency use.

The lookout and communications infrastructure was reported lost early in the Paradise Fire that began September 10, 2021. National Park Service employees rescued the Osborne Fire-Finder shortly before the lookout was overrun.

The Paradise Fire combined with the Colony Fire to the north to become the KNP Complex Fire.

 

Map

Change Basemap

Photos

Lookout destroyed - September 2021

Lookout destroyed - September 2021 - courtesy of the National Park Service

Paradise Fire shortly after lightning caused ignition

Paradise Fire shortly after lightning caused ignition - courtesy of Elly Quinn

Cabin Detail

Cabin Detail - courtesy of Rene' Ardesch

Photo courtesy of Rene' Ardesch

Osborne Fire-Finder in cabin interior

Osborne Fire-Finder in cabin interior - courtesy of Rene' Ardesch

Cabin view

Cabin view - courtesy of Rene' Ardesch

Circa 1967

Circa 1967 - courtesy of the National Park Service

Milk Ranch Peak and the Western Divide - Circa 1967

Milk Ranch Peak and the Western Divide - Circa 1967 - courtesy of the National Park Service

1959

1959 - courtesy of the Tulare County Library

Rose Vaughn on the original lookout structure

Rose Vaughn on the original lookout structure - courtesy of the National Park Service

Rose Vaughn at work

Rose Vaughn at work - courtesy of the National Park Service

Bob Roberts with the Fire-Finder

Bob Roberts with the Fire-Finder - courtesy of the National Park Service

Aftermath of the Paradise Fire - September 2021

Aftermath of the Paradise Fire - September 2021 - courtesy of the National Park Service