Needles Lookout

Note: all info and pictures are from before the Castle Fire.

 

The Needles Lookout was built as a fire watch tower in 1937. Built on a granite spire known as The Magician at about 8,000' elevation, the Needles Lookout was an active fire lookout until it burned in 2001. It is still a tourist attraction due to the spectacular views and is a popular climbing location for experienced rock climbers. The hike to Needles begins close to Ponderosa. It is approximately 5 miles round trip and passes through forested areas initially and then culminates with a set of staircases leading up to the peak and old Lookout location  (most of the staircases have now been removed for safety reasons).

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Directions to and more information about the Needles Lookout