BEAVER — Olympic National Forest’s Kloshe Nanitch Fire Lookout, located north of U.S. Highway 101 about 20 miles northeast of Forks and 40 miles west of Port Angeles, was removed last week.
The heavily decayed building perched over the Sol Duc Valley had been closed to the public several years ago when engineers determined that it was not structurally sound, Pacific District Ranger Dean Millett said.
Earlier this fall, vandals entered the building and broke several windows and tore off safety railings, Millett said.
“This, combined with deterioration of the structure, resulted in irreparable damage,” he said.
“The structure in its existing condition was a dire safety hazard, and we needed to take immediate action to maintain public safety.”
Junction gate closed
The gate at the 3040-595 junction is currently closed, but will be reopened when all the debris has been removed.
The Kloshe Nanitch Lookout and surrounding area has long been a popular picnic site that provides expansive views of Mount Olympus, the Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent.
Kloshe Nanitch Trail No. 882.1 remains open.
An observation deck where the lookout used to be is expected to be built by next summer.
The original cupola structure was constructed in 1917 and was replaced in 1997 with a replica.
The lookout site was moved to North Point in the 1940s.
The Clallam County Chain Gang removed the structure by hand over a three-day period.
For more information, contact the Pacific Ranger District at 360-374-6522.
