Middle Sister Lookout

Drive-Up	Staffed
Elevation: 6898′	St. Joe National Forest

HISTORY

1923 – A log cupula cabin was built
1951 – 35″ TT L-4 was built
1953 – This tower accidentally burnt down
1954 – 30′ TT L-4 tower was built.

There is also a patrol point 1 1/2 mi NW atop West Sister mountain

Current: This lookout is staffed every summer

Known Staff

1967 – George Apel (*Kellogg Evening News)
1973 – Don & Nancy Hammond
1995 – Andi McQuade with twins Mark & Megan
2010 – Don & Nancy Hammond
2022 – Rod Bacon
2023-25 – Mac Tippins

OUR NOTES

It took us a few years and a few failed attempts to finally reach Middle Sister Lookout. But we finally made a successful visit – and subsequently realized why Middle Sister is so fantastic! It has an absolutely INCREDIBLE VIEW over the ENTIRE St Joe National Forest.

Some photos from our first visit in 2023

Currently staffing Middle Sister Lookout is the extraordinary Mac Tippins!

Mac has staffed several lookout towers over the last decade, across the West. He has fascinating stories about his time both at lookouts and from his career before as an airline pilot and his wartime spent in Vietnam. He is an accomplished photographer as well – truly gorgeous work that he shares on his social media platforms www.mactippins.com/ and @prairie_fire_photos