Devil's Head Lookout facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Devil's Head Lookout Hike & Tower
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A picture of the watchtower with Pikes Peak in the background.
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| Location | Douglas County, Colorado |
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| Built | 1951(current structure) |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000518 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 2003 |
Devil's Head Lookout is a special tower in Colorado. It sits high up on a mountain called Devils Head. This tower helps the U.S. Forest Service spot wildfires. It's located in Douglas County, Colorado, within the beautiful Pike National Forest. You can reach it by hiking a fun trail called the Devils Head National Recreation Trail.
The lookout tower is built on a huge rock. This rock is made of a type of stone called Pikes Peak granite. Devil's Head Lookout is the last fire lookout tower still working along the Front Range of Colorado. It is also the highest point in the Rampart Range.
History of the Lookout
The first fire lookout station here was set up in 1912. The original tower was built in 1919. Later, in the summer of 1951, the old tower was taken down. A new, stronger tower was built in its place.
In 1991, Devil's Head Lookout became a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important part of history.
What You Can See
From the top of the current tower, you can see for a very long way. On clear days, you can see at least 100 miles in every direction! Imagine all the mountains and forests you can spot.
Visiting the Lookout
The Devil's Head Lookout is 9,748 feet (2,971 meters) high. You can get to it by hiking a trail that is easy to moderate. The round trip is about 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) long. You will climb about 951 feet (290 meters) in elevation.
The very last part of the hike is a climb up 143 stairs. These stairs lead you right to the lookout tower!
You can get to the trailhead from Rampart Range Road. This is a dirt road about 14.5 kilometers long. Most regular cars can drive on it.
Important Note: The road to the trailhead is closed to cars during the winter. It usually opens again in April or May. Always check if the road is open before you plan your visit!
Gallery
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The stairs at the base of the tower. The tower itself is visible in the upper right.
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View from the top of the Devil's Head Lookout. Pike National Forest is in the foreground, while the city of Denver is in the distance.
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The trail leading to the lookout tower passes many boulders made of Pike's Peak granite, such as this one.
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A view from the trail leading to the tower.
