Sand Mountain Lookout

A simple dirt road that any stock 4x4 or all wheel drive SUV should be able to drive without problems leads to a short trail. Follow the fire road until it dead ends. The trail is marked with rocks. Stay within the rocks to not disturb the sensitive and delicate environment. Amazing views of the sisters, three finger jack, mt Jefferson and my hood. The person manning the lookout was happy to see us and enjoy a conversation. There are many signs saying the lookout is closed to the public due to covid. We kept our distance from the actual tower and we're invited to come back next year when he could invite us inside for a cup of coffee.

A unique and magical spot. Being a rocky cinder cone standing nearly alone in the plateau, views from the 5,460ft summit are what you'd expect of an 8,000ft peak. Go during the summer or early fall and say hi to the lookout on duty. (Or contact the Sand Mountain Society to help maintain the historic structure and, perhaps, even help staff the lookout as a volunteer.)

It's true that, as another review noted, the hike up is largely on a dirt road, but there are views all along it, there's a hidden lava flow at one point, and, of course, there's a spectacular conclusion.

We drove out from Salem Saturday afternoon, ate dinner in Lebanon and went out hwy 20. Found a free camp site at Lost Lake near Hoo Doo down hill ski area.

Got up early Sunday hoping to drive up to Sand Mountain. The road is closed 1.8 miles from the top. We began the hike about 730 am and happened to meet Tim the Latin teacher jogging down the mountain who has spent the last 20 summer's watching weather and fires.

He's got stories of fires and burned trees he has seen including last year's fire that burned Detroit. He knows all the fire lookouts around the region. Also told us about how to be a fire lookout.

Fantastic views in every direction. Big lake, Clear lake, black Butte, the Sisters, Diamond peak, coffin mountain to name a few.

Lots to see on the walk up, pine wood lands, dwarf shrubs lands, a black pumice dune area and red cinder cone hills.

2 hrs up and an hour back. Tim mentions on a busy day he gets 8-10 visitors to the top at the lookout.

Many who come up Sand Mountain don't realize what the will see at the top and only come to the lower views of Mt. Washington, Sisters, 3 finger Jack and Mt. Jefferson.

Great views.

DEEP snow today!

This is a nice lookout, a few gates to contend with, but where there’s a will… I was invited in by the person on watch, chatted for a bit, very nice person. Of course the views were great, loved it.

The lookout itself was nice, but the hike up to it is only the FS road that is closed to vehicles. Great view of The Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and even Mt. Jefferson on a clear day.

Beautiful location but held hostage by a private club that I've tried to join for several years. I thought public property was open to all. Not right