Cyclone Lookout sees a lot of visitors, while spotting fires
High above Polebridge in the Whitefish Range, the Cyclone Peak Lookout Tower looks over the western North Fork and into Glacier Park, offering stunning panoramic views of the park. On a clear day, one can look all the way into Canada and clearly pick out Bowman Lake as well as the scattered private homes on the North Fork. Located about 20 miles North of Columbia Falls, the hike to this massive lookout is a modest 2.8 mile hike from the parking area with a little over 1,100 feet of elevation gain. During hot summer months, it is best to do the hike early in the day to avoid the heat, but most of the hiking is in the trees with ample shade. The trailhead is located about 6 miles off of North Fork Road, accessed off of Hay Creek Road 1.5 miles south of Polebridge.
The lookout appears out of nowhere after the short uphill hike at the top of 6,033 foot Cyclone Peak, and there is a man at the top of the tower peering down and welcoming hikers to tour his home away from home.
After climbing the 65 wooden steps, Rick and Marli Davis show off the inside of the 50-foot tall lookout tower they are residing in. As volunteers for the Forest Service, they take on 10 day hitches and watch over the North Fork area for plumes of smoke to indicate the start of a fire.
“The fire crews bring up our water and dry food before the season begins as training, but there is also a fresh spring,” Rick Davis said with one eye on the horizon, looking out for fires.
“But we bring in our own supplies like fresh produce and always make sure to use the bathroom before it gets dark.”
Over the weekend, they were credited with spotting the Quartz Fire in Glacier National Park.
The Cyclone Peak Lookout is one of 40 lookouts scattered throughout Montana, and they are in communication with each other to pinpoint the location of new fires.
The lookout also received a cosmetic paint job at the end of July, done by volunteers.
With its close proximity to the Polebridge entrance, the Davises noted the lookout has seen more than 500 visitors this summer. With many out-of-towners being turned away from Glacier Park without tickets for entry, the lookout offers a view that cannot
be seen from anywhere inside the Park.
Any visitors should be aware of the danger of bears in the area, and travel with bear spray.
One should also keep in mind logging truck traffic on the skinny mountain roads.
In total, the hike is 4.6 miles from the trailhead with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. It can be done in two hours, but leave plenty of time to enjoy the great views and chat with the volunteers.
