Needles Fire Lookout USFS Photo
On June 14, 1975 I did a 5 mile round trip day hike to the top of 8,245' Needles Fire Lookout.
As of August 2019 extraordinary efforts have been made to rebuild the lookout tower by the Giant Sequoia National Monument Association. Unfortunately, the challenges with the engineering aspects of this project have so far precluded it from moving forward.
The Needles Lookout trail is 2.5 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 21S05 and ends at the rock formations referred to as "Needles." The Needles Fire Lookout Tower, which sat on top of a spire referred to as “The Magician” was destroyed in a structure fire on July 28, 2011. No one was injured in this tragic event.
The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking and stock use. Trailhead is 2.5 miles from Western Divide Hwy at the end of Needles Road (21S05). The trail follows the northern slope of Needles Ridge and offers spectacular views stretching all the way to Mt. Whitney. There is no water on this trail.
While on a driving tour of the Western Divide Highway area on the west side of the Kern River near Quaking Aspen I took the short side road to the trail leading to the Forest Service Fire Lookout on The Needles.
The hike was pleasant - mostly through forest with views to the north. There is one main saddle you drop down into before climbing to the tower. The last hundred feet or so is via a stairway perched on the rock. The tower offers good views of the southern Sierra. The Needles also offers rock climbing - in fact, three climbers were finishing up when I arrived. The lookout is supplied by helicopter. Nice hike.
Needles Fire Lookout - USFS Photo
