Jesmond Fire Lookout (Clinton)

Site Description: The Jesmond Fire Lookout recreation site is a former fire lookout tower built in the early 1970's to aid with detecting forest fires. From 1972 to 1999, the lookout tower was staffed with an observer during the fire season, which was typically from early May to late September. An average of 12 wildfires per year were detected over these years. The observer was generally posted at the lookout for 3 weeks at a time, living inside the lookout tower. The Jesmond Fire Lookout tower is located on a very exposed ridge, at an elevation of about 1980 meters, and winds in excess of 120 km/h have been recorded.

Driving Directions: Access is via a rough, four-wheel drive road. From Clinton, head southwest on Kelly Lake Road towards Kelly Lake. Travel approximately 16 km and turn right/north onto the Jesmond / Big Bar Ferry Road. Follow the Jesmond Road for about 37 km, and then turn right onto the Jesmond Lookout Forest Service Road. Follow the signs to the lookout from here (about 11 km). An alternate route is also signed from the north via Big Bar Road (access is via Hwy 97, north of Clinton), just a few kilometers past the Big Bar Provincial Park campsite. The last few kilometers of the road heading up to the lookout are best travelled by ATV, as the road gets quite steep and narrow, with several tight switchbacks and loose rock near the very top of the road. Visitors are encouraged to park at a clearing about 500 meters before the tower, at treeline, and walk or ATV the remainder of the way to the lookout.