Red Top Lookout

Red Top Lookout packs a full fire lookout experience into one of the shortest hikes in the Blewett Pass area. The 0.75-mile trail climbs steadily through shaded forest before breaking out onto the exposed summit at 5,360 feet, where the 1952 lookout tower still operates during fire season. Volunteers staff the tower summer through fall, and visitors can step inside to see the Osbourne Firefinder used to pinpoint smoke columns across the Central Cascades.

The summit delivers a 360-degree panorama that punches well above its weight for such a short walk. The Stuart Range fills the western horizon, Teanaway Ridge stretches to the south, and the Chelan and Entiat Mountains line up to the north. On clear days, Rainier and Adams both make appearances. A loop option extends the trip by descending the north ridge switchbacks past a large rock formation and connecting back via the Teanaway Ridge Trail junction.

The access road (FR 9738/Blue Creek Road) closes when snow covers the upper stretches, typically November through May. Google Maps has been known to route drivers incorrectly onto FS 115 instead of FS 9738, so watch your turn off Highway 970 carefully. Summer weekends bring steady foot traffic, but the parking area handles it well with 20 spaces and a vault toilet.