Goat Peak
Location: 48.6321769, -120.4048947
Summit Elevation: 7,001′
Lookout Type: 15′ timber L-4
Site Established: 1923
Current Structure Built: 1950
The most prominent landmark in the beautiful Methow Valley, Goat Peak is famous for its dazzling fall larch show. “Lightning Bill” Austin staffed the lookout for 19 seasons before moving to Leecher. In 2021, Goat Peak was once again open for service is actively staffed by the Methow Valley Ranger District.
History
The original D-6 cupola cabin at Goat Peak was constructed in 1923 by the Chelan National Forest and then replaced in 1950 with the current L-4 cab on a 15′ timber tower. Goat Peak is one of the most prominent landmarks in the Methow Valley and has been staffed every year until 2014, it’s most famous resident being “Lightning Bill” Austin.
In 2017, the Goat Peak lookout became a strategic location for relaying information to firefighters battling the 128,000 acre Diamond Creek Fire. The lookout was wrapped for protection when the fire continued to advance but Mother Nature finally stepped in with rain to control the fire and Goat Peak was unwrapped a short time later.
Goat was again wrapped in the summer of 2021 as a precaution against both the Cub Creek 2 and Cedar Creek fires.
