Hot Springs Mountain – Fire Lookout is located on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in northeastern San Diego County near Warner Springs. Hot Springs Mountain is the highest peak in San Diego County at 6,533 feet. The Hot Springs Mountain site is the oldest of all towers in the Cleveland National Forest.
The original tower went into service in 1912. A second structure replaced the original in 1928. The current cab and tower were built in 1942. The tower and cab are a wood 14 x 14 C-3 design. The structure is very weathered and open to the elements. The glass and interior furnishings are gone, the roof has collapsed and in the last set of pictures the structure is about to fall.
On March 26, 1961 myself, Bill Paine, John Paine, Tom Isom, John Butler, Mike Smith hiked the ten mile round trip to 6433' Hot Springs Mountain. We had nice weather - cool - scattered clouds. Ice on trees above 6000 feet. 3 hours up, 2 hours down. Fine view of Lost Valley, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. Took old trail via Fletcher property - avoiding the Indian Reservation road.
Click here for an excellent current (2023) trail guide including a video, maps and other information
