Buck Rock Lookout has been in use as a fire observation platform since the creation of Sequoia National Forest in 1908. Originally the fire lookout was a simple platform which was accessible via a series of ladders and ropes. The current live-in cabin atop Buck Rock is a 4-A design which was constructed circa 1921-1922 and began service during the 1923 fire season.
In 1942 the 172-step staircase to Buck Rock Lookout was constructed to replace the previous ladder and rope system. The lookout was used by the Army during World War II as part of the Aircraft Warning Service. Ultimately Buck Rock survived the shuttering of most of the Forest Service fire lookouts during the 1980s and has remained in service. Buck Rock Lookout was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1998, and the 4-A live-in cabin is one of three known to still exist.
The Forest Service would eventually develop 4-A style live-in lookout to replace many of the prominent fire observation platforms. A 4-A lookout was constructed atop Buck Rock beginning in 1921 and would become active during the 1923 fire season. The Buck Rock Lookout and lookout Buck McGee can be seen below in a photo from 1925. McGree was the lookout at Buck Rock circa 1923-1928.
The 4-A lookout atop Buck Rock upon opening in 1923 was still accessed via system of ladders and ropes. In 1942 the ladders were replaced with the 172-step staircase which still access the structure. During much of World War II women staffed the Buck Rock Lookout as part of the Army Aircraft Warning Service.
Part 1; the history of the Buck Rock Overlook and Forest Road 13S04
The formation now known as Buck Rock was known to the tribes of the western Sierra Nevada and Finger Rock. Buck Rock is located at 8,502 feet above sea level and towers above the much of the surrounding terrain. From the top of the rock Kings Canyon, Hume Lake, Converse Basin, Redwood Mountain, the Giant Forest and Great Western Divide are easily observed. On clear days the Santa Lucia Mountains can be viewed 150 miles to the west along with Tehachapi Mountains 130 miles to the south.
The original road to Buck Rock and the Big Meadow Mine was routed through the property of Horace Whitaker. Much of Horace Whitaker's ranching holdings were obtained from the early 1870s through the 1880s. Whitaker owned property from near Orosi northeast through the Badger area to the vicinity of Redwood Mountain. The roadway northeast from Badger to the Whitaker Ranch holdings would form the basis for Whitaker Forest Drive, Redwood Canyon Road and Forest Road 14S11 (Horse Corral Road).
The Kings River Lumber Company originally planned on constructing a railroad from Sanger to Converse Basin. The rugged terrain of Kings Canyon proved too formidable of an engineering challenge construction of a railroad grade. This led to the Kings River Lumber Company beginning construction on the 54-mile Sanger Log Flume. The flume was complete months prior to the establishment of General Grant National Park and Sequoia National Park in mid-year 1890. The logging operations around Converse Basin led to movements to preserve the Redwood Sequoia groves.
The Redwood Mountain Grove and the Evans Grove Complex (including the Little Boulder Grove) were excluded from the boundaries of early General Grant National Park. The Redwood Mountain Grove was later added to the Sierra Forest Reserve, which was established on February 14, 1893, by then President Benjamin Harris.
Buck Rock was named by Federal Land Managers in 1904. The reason the current name for the formation was chosen is not known. It appears the Buck Rock name was in use before being officially renamed as it appears on the 1903 United States Geological Survey map. Buck Rock is shown to be on a trail north of the Big Meadow Mine which permitted access to the Little Boulder Sequoia Grove near Burton Pass.
Buck Rock would become part of Sequoia National Forest on July 1, 1908. The then new National Forest recognized the strategic value of Buck Rock as a fire overlook and installed an observation platform atop the formation. The original fire lookout lacked a shelter which was reached via a series of ladders and ropes. The early fire lookouts upon spotting a fire would have to rapidly repel from the top of Buck Rock and ride on horseback to make reports about their observations.
The earliest United States Geological Survey map of Sequoia National Forest displays the Buck Rock Lookout (circa 1908-1910). The map displays Buck Rock Road spanning from Horse Corral Road northward to Burton Pass near the Boulder Creek Sequoia Grove. This map edition displays the Buck Rock Overlook being located at 8,502 feet above sea level.
The Forest Service would eventually develop 4-A style live-in lookout to replace many of the prominent fire observation platforms. A 4-A lookout was constructed atop Buck Rock beginning in 1921 and would become active during the 1923 fire season. The Buck Rock Lookout and lookout Buck McGee can be seen below in a photo from 1925. McGree was the lookout at Buck Rock circa 1923-1928.
During the 1980s the majority of Forest Service fire lookouts were decommissioned. Buck Rock Lookout proved to valuable enough that it remained in service. The 4-A live-in cabin atop Buck Rock is one of the three remaining examples known to still exist. Buck Rock Lookout was added to the National Register of Historical Places on August 20, 1998.
Part 2; a drive on Forest Road 13S04 to Buck Rock Lookout
Forest Road 13S04 (Buck Rock Road) begins at Horse Camp along Forest Road 14S11 (Horse Corral Road) at an elevation of 7,662 feet above sea level. Traffic is advised that Buck Rock is located 2 miles to the north. The northbound beginning of Buck Rock Road is located in Tulare County.
Buck Rock Road is comprised of a sandy dirt surface which requires use of a high clearance vehicle. In dry conditions four-wheel drive is not required.
Northbound Buck Rock Road passes the Buck Rock Campground approximately a half mile north of Horse Corral Road.
Buck Rock Road continues northward and begins to ascend to the Buck Rock Lookout. Buck Rock Road intersects Forest Road 13S04B (Buck Rock Overlook Road) which accesses the overlook. The visitor hours at the overlook are listed on a gate sign as 10:30 AM-5 PM.
Forest Road 13S04B ends at the bottom of the stairs to the Buck Rock Lookout. A historical plaque was installed at the bottom of the stairway in 2023 by the Tulare County Historical Society.
The stairway to the top of Buck Rock Lookout as noted in Part 1 has 172 steps.
Being located at 8,502 feet above sea level Buck Rock Lookout towers above the surrounding terrain.
Scenes from the interior of the 4-A live-in cabin atop Buck Rock Lookout.
Buck Rock Road begins a descent north from Forest Road 13S04B and enters Fresno County after two switchbacks.
Northbound Buck Rock Road terminates at Forest Road 14S02 (Burton Road) near Burton Pass. Burton Pass is located at an elevation of 7,687 feet above sea level.
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