Red Mountain Lookout
The Red Mountain Lookout had its Grand Re-Opening on June 5, 1999.
Red
Mountain (elev. 4,573ft) is located in the southern part of the San Bernardino National
Forest southeast of Hemet. Besides having the best views of the southern
San Jacinto Mountains. Red Mountain also overlooks parts of the town
of Anza, the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, Reed Valley, Bautista Canyon,
and has a great view of the new Diamond Valley Reservoir.
Red Mountain is the youngest lookout on the San Bernardino National Forest and was constructed in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.The mountain itself is so named for the distinctive red granite that is found on its peak.
Though low in elevation and relatively close to the surrounding populated
areas, it is host to some of the best wildlife viewing of all the lookouts
with an abundance of deer and other critters. Red Mountain is definitely
a lookout for the more adventuresome! From Tripp Flats it's a 9-mile
dirt road to the lookout.
The Red Mountain Lookout Leader is Eileen Phillips.
Please check with the Fire Lookout coordinator to ensure that the lookout is staffed before making your trip to visit Red Mountain.
Directions
Take Highway 243 south from Idyllwild, continue on Highway 74 (toward
Palm Desert). Turn on Highway 371 toward Anza. Turn right onto Cary
Road, go 5 miles, turn left on the dirt road toward Tripp Flats Fire
Station, and follow Forest Road 6S22 for 9 more miles to the lookout.
From the Temecula area, heading south on US 15, get off the freeway
at Hwy 79. Go east on
Hwy 79 to Hwy 371. Take Hwy 371 northeast toward Anza. Before reaching
Anza and
immediately after passing the Cahuilla Creek Indian Reservation Casino,
turn left onto Cary
Road, go 5 miles, turn left on the dirt road toward Tripp Flats Fire
Station, and follow Forest
Road 6S22 for 9 more miles to the lookout.