The Butler peak hike. Butler peak has a fire watch tower at the top staffed by volunteers who watch for fire outbreaks and call them to the Forest Service HQs. These towers used to be everywhere in the West but most were closed down and abandoned but recently some have been rehabilitated and staffed by volunteers on 24 hour shifts.
Trailhead is at about 6,900ft and is along an access road that is closed to civilian motor traffic
Lots of burned timber and lots of 'up'. It was very dry. We took lots of water and consumed it all by the end of the hike. Even the dogs carried water!
Youngest daughter and dogs. She's single, likes dogs, off-roading, guns, and horses. Just sayin'
Our destination but still a long way to go.
The Missus is a avid walker and can walk me into the ground.
Getting closer...
Almost there...
Made it!
Much of the area around the fire tower burned also but the tower itself was saved.
About 8,200 to the base of the tower which was probably another couple hundred feet higher to the tower.
In years past we've been invited up to the tower but not this time so after some lunch and rest we headed back down. It was a 9.5 mile round trip.
