Prospect Peak Lookout Site
US 2004, CA 124
Prospect Peak Lookout at Manzanita Lake - 1998

Prospect Peak Lookout at Manzanita Lake - 1998 - courtesy of Mark Swift Collection

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 2004, CA 124 (view other lookout sites in United States, California)
Date Registered April 15, 2020
Nominated by Brad Eells
Location Lassen Volcanic National Park
Shasta County, California
Coordinates N 40° 34.397' W 121° 20.756' (view using Google Maps)
N 40° 34' 24" W 121° 20' 45"
N 40.573276° W 121.345938°
Elevation 8,347 ft (2,544 m)
Built 1912
Removed 1981
Administered by National Park Service - Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cooperators San Bernardino National Forest

Description

Prospect Peak was constructed in 1912, a California Region 5 Plan 4A. Lookout materials were hauled from Red Bluff to Blue Lake for transport via mule train to the top of the peak.

The cabin was lifted from the peak in 1981 by helicopter and transported to Manzanita Lake, where it was to be restored as an interpretive display. The restoration did not take place and some time in the early 2000's, the lookout was transferred from the Lassen Volcanic Park to the San Bernardino National Forest. The cabin was dismantled and trucked to storage site on the Forest, where it was to be reassembled atop the existing tower at Cajon Mountain. The Forest chose to dismantle the tower and project did not go forward.

Prospect Peak is likely the oldest existing lookout cabin in California and along with Buck Rock are the only 2 surviving 4A designs. The current status and whereabouts of Prospect Peak Lookout Cabin are unknown. 

Map

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Photos

September 9, 1981

September 9, 1981 - courtesy of Lassen County Times