As lookout exploration season winds down, we refuse to let some weather end the fun. Sure, Jack Frost is starting to show up, but we’re stubborn enough to keep exploring until nature forces us to call it quits.
The first challenge? The roads. Lookouts, by nature, sit atop the first mountains to greet the season’s snow. Even if we make it up there, the snow and ice start hiding all the little signs of history we’re out to find—old footings, hidden #9 wire, and anything else that tells the story of these places.
So, every day we squeeze in another outing before the first big storm is a bonus, one more for the books before winter settles in.
With October closing this past weekend, we headed down to St. Joe with a list of sites to hit. Mike had the weekend off, so he, Cat, and their dogs were in one rig, and I followed behind. We kept up a steady stream of chatter over the radio—sharing everything from jokes to local history and whatever weird sights caught our eyes.
Crossing Moon Pass, the view was classic fall. Despite the chill, the larches were popping, the air was crisp, and I even cracked a window. But we didn’t have time for too many stops or photos—the forecast was calling for a storm to roll in by 11 p.m.
Stop #1: Pocono Hill
Our first stop, Pocono Hill, wasn’t much of a lookout, just an old camp. We came up empty on anything historical, but hey, getting that check mark for visiting counts for something, right?
Stop #2: Huckleberry Mountain
Next, we headed to Huckleberry Mountain. This lookout was sold to a private buyer a decade ago, so we just missed it. We did, however, find some old timbers, footings, and even an outhouse still standing alongside the modern electronic equipment. The best surprise, though, was learning that our friend Nate Raff had been part of the crew that moved the tower, thanks to a Facebook page dedicated to it. Small world!
Stop #3: Bussel Peak
From there, we tackled some rough roads to Bussel Peak (sorry, it was an inside joke for Mike). The road was overgrown, requiring us to park at the bottom and hike up. After so much car time, it felt great to stretch our legs. The dogs were thrilled, too, and before long, we found the day’s big winner: engraved concrete footings from the original tower! Seeing engravings left nearly a century ago—a mark of pride—is an incredible reminder of the history we’re uncovering. I think Cat was going through internet withdrawals from being unable to google the names and find out exactly who they were right that very minute.
Breezy Point
After a quick lunch at the truck, we set off to find a nearby grave. The road (if you can call it that) towards the grave was very overgrown, so we parked and walked again. The grave is in a beautiful spot. It seems like a tranquil resting place next to a tiny creek, surrounded by the forests and mountains of the St. Joe. We aren’t sure of the history of the grave, just questions. How old is the grave? Does it belong to a trapper, a settler, someone from the timber industry, a forester? Who knows. Cat is already working on tracking down some info.
Returning to the trucks, Cat found a fantastic mushroom honeyhole. Artie was too busy playing stick, and Penny was too busy biting his ankles to care, but I am pretty sure this is a spot that Mike and Cat will return to for some grade-a mushroom picking.
Once back at the trucks we started the long drive to Breezy Point. At the saddle north of Breezy, we even spotted a little snow—an eerie hint that winter was coming. Once at Breezy, we found more footings and remnants, which made for a perfect wrap-up to the day’s exploring.
Though we’d originally planned to camp somewhere more sheltered, Breezy Point just felt right—quiet, beautiful views over the Joe, and a “breeze” that seemed manageable.
We set up camp and got a fire going. Dinner was crackers with roasted brie, bacon jam, and a few other toppings. Mike had brought the spread, and I’m pretty sure it was the fanciest, most “adult” s’more I’ve ever had.
After a few drinks and some fireside stargazing, we called it a night—only to discover that “Breezy Point” should be called “Sustained Gust Peak.” The wind was relentless!
Day Two: The Push-Through Weather
We started early, ready to hit three more sites, but with that wind, we skipped breakfast and packed up fast. Heading to Fishhook, the rain started. When we parked and started hiking, we were pelted with graupel and stinging rain. Though we found some artifacts—tie-downs, old stove pipe remains—the weather was brutal, and it didn’t compare to our Bussel find. We hurried back down, ready for a reprieve.
The following two sites would have to wait. With the storm ramping up and views shrouded in clouds, it didn’t make sense to keep pushing. There’s a point where fighting the weather stops being fun.
Pointing our rigs toward home, we wrapped up another adventure in the Joe. Fingers crossed for a few more outings before Mother Nature calls time on the 2024 season, but we’re down to the wire!
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