Comments on: Finding the West White Pine Lookout

By: White Pine Lookout Moved, to Open 2012 « (Old) Lost Fort Collins

White Pine Lookout Moved, to Open 2012 « (Old) Lost Fort Collins — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:43:55 +0000

[...] still don't live in Fort Collins anymore, but once in a while I get updates or hear things. We talked about the White Pine cab before here. Here's an update, thanks to [...]

By: nisperos

nisperos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:36:21 +0000

I want to know where others think Deadman Lookout got its name from?

By: noë

noë — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:13:48 +0000

Cool story! Without the tower, West White Pine looks just like a picnic shelter in the park.

As to tiny houses, I guess my RV counts as one. It’s fun to live in for short periods of time, but I’m awfully glad I have a bigger space to go home to.

By: susanc

susanc — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:00:25 +0000

If you’re ever in Mesa Verde, there’s a short hike to an old fire-watching site — not a tower per se, I think, because its perch on the edge of a butte made it not need a tower — that’s definitely worth the short trip. The views are outstanding. And the damage from the fires in the last decade there are a reminder of just how necessary that kind of watch has been.

By: John T

John T — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:54:18 +0000

You’ve done it again — great pieces and a couple of more links that I will favorite to keep track of– Thanks for your dedication to keeping the stories alive

By: colorebel

colorebel — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:52:08 +0000

Love reading about these neat little nuggets of local information, thanks!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:53:19 +0000

Cat, you were correct. West White Pine is closer than Deadman, at least as the crow flies. And yes, you’ve got my credentials right. Thanks!

I’m a fan of tiny houses, too. Once met a woman in Mendocino, CA, who had built her own tiny house in the nearby pygmy forest. I bet it was about 10′x10′ and she had built an outdoor barrel-stave hot tub, to boot. Delightful!

We’ve also stayed in the “guest caboose” with friends at Wagon Wheel Gap, near Creede. It’s narrow gauge, so it was very cozy for two, and we did eat in the house (former RR depot).

By: Kip W

Kip W — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:40:05 +0000

Oh yeah, tiny houses! I’ve looked at those — not seriously, though.

Another wonderful fantasy from my early years was thinking about having a caboose in the back yard of the family home that I could live out in by myself. No doubt returning to the house at mealtimes! From my comfy bed up in the cupola, I’d have had a view of the whole neighborhood.

I also used to wish for a bunk bed with desk, storage, etc., underneath. It never happened, but my daughter (age 7) got one this week, and she’s a happy camper.

By: catfc

catfc — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:58:33 +0000

I’ve been in a couple of active towers, and they have the same appeal as old boats and tiny houses (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/). Like Kip, I fantasize about how I could live in this beautiful micro space. Then I start thinking about where I’m going to put my washing machine ….

Hey Susan, was I incorrect that West White Mtn was closest to Fort Collins? Or was Deadman closer? Also, did I get your credentials correct?

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:20:35 +0000

Kip, the lookout you remember may have been Deadman Lookout, still actively staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers. It’s a tall, steel tower, west of Red Feather Lakes, off Deadman Road. It’s on the National Historic Lookout Register, and you can find out more about it at http://www.firelookout.org/cohost-co/deadman.html.