Oregon Hikers

Finally hiked the full west part of Old Baldy trail today and the weather was perfect and the mushrooms abundant and varied.

I have a question: why are there no noticeable remains of a lookout station that was supposedly decommissioned in the 60s? You'd think there'd be some visible evidence of it. ('Cause there's not much else reward for climbing that steep final portion, given that the trees prevent any view. Unless you want to have a campfire in the little fire pit.)

And then there's this talk of a helipad. Did I see it? Maybe. But the open flat area I saw was surrounded by tall trees that appear at least 60 years old, so I can't imagine a copter landing safely there. Can someone post a picture of the helipad spot?

Any links to historical pix (if they exist) of these landmarks would also be super cool.

Finally, anyone know the name of this fungus? Lots of 'em out there.

I've not heard of a helipad up there, but in looking at the legends on the old maps, Old Baldy was what was called a "Triangulation Station". I'm guessing that was not a fully staffed lookout, because they also show a "Permanent Lookout Station" (Salmon Butte was one), and a "Triangulation Station and Permanent Lookout Station" (Squaw Mountain was one).

It would be interesting to know what the differences between the various lookout types were.

I have not seen any photos of any structure up on old baldy, though.

It must be that someone at a lookout station could measure the angle between a triangulation station and a fire.

Same with a second lookout station and you'd locate the position of the fire

Interesting stuff. Thanks, guys.

AaronPDX wrote: ↑

July 19th, 2019, 9:27 pm

Finally, anyone know the name of this fungus? Lots of 'em out there.
IMG_4691.JPG

Coral Fungus

This is my go-to site for lookout info. If a peak doesn’t appear here, it probably didn’t have a lookout.

http://firelookout.com/or.html

Good to know; thanks Waffle Stomper! And good to know, justpeachy. Will investigate that later.

It's been 20-25 years since I've done that hike, but I recall concrete steps, nails and melted glass fragments on the summit of nearby Squaw Mountain. I think that's where the lookout had been.