Where is Buck Mountain?

Where is Buck Mountain?

Usa, north-america

Length

9.01 km

Elevation

1,868 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, ready for a wild ride up Buck Mountain? This peak punches way up to 6,128 feet in Washington's Okanogan County, smack-dab in the North Cascades. The payoff? Killer panoramic views of the valleys and surrounding peaks.

But the real star? The Buck Mountain Lookout perched right on top! It's got history, dating back to a simple crow's nest in 1919. Now you'll find a rad 14' x 14' cabin with a catwalk, built way back in the day. It's still kicking, used by the DNR for emergencies, and even made it onto the National Historic Lookout Register.

Heads up: getting there is part of the adventure! Buck Lookout Road, all 5.6 miles from Highway 20, is pure, unadulterated dirt. It gets pretty gnarly about two miles from the top, so a high-clearance vehicle is a MUST. A 4x4 is your best friend for those rough patches. Be prepared for a climb, too – you're gaining 2,648 feet with an average gradient of around 9%. There's a small dirt parking area near the summit. Get ready for a thrilling climb and a big dose of natural beauty.

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
9.01 km
Max Elevation
1,868 m
Difficulty
hard

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