Camp ObserverLittle Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Largest party: 4 people
Directions
From McCloud, California, travel east on Highway 89 for 16 miles to Road 15 (the Harris Springs
Rd). Turn left and travel on a paved road for about 4.5 miles on Road
15 to the 49 road (Powder Hill Road). Travel for approximately 28 miles
northeast to the Medicine Lake area. From there, follow the road along
the north side of Medicine Lake for approximately 4 miles to Little Mt.
Hoffman. These last 4 miles are not paved and motor homes and vehicles
pulling trailers are not recommended.
Stay Limit
Check in from 12 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Elizabeth M
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 8 months ago
The gate at the bottom of the hill was sprung and required 3 of us to lift and swing it up inti the post to lock it.
Ava J
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
The lookout and restroom were very well taken care of. On the way up, medicine lake was a nice spot to enjoy. The 360 views of the night sky was the best part of the lookout!! It does get really cold at night later in the season so bring extra blankets!
Michael C
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
We spent 3 nights up there, fantastic. Quiet, perfect weather, and didn’t forget anything. What an experience, definitely will try to get back in the future. We went to Little Glass Mountaintain and just loved it. We brought blowup paddle boards and kayaks for a day at the lake, just perfect. I brought a 250 gallon water tank which we all enjoyed, hot showers, clean dishes, and no rationing. We ate great, drank heartily, and slept peacefully. Views of sunrises,and sunsets magical. Thank you little Mount Hoffman
Susan C
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Awesome experience at Little Mt. Hoffman Fire Lookout on Saturday night, July 12th. Getting a reservation takes some determination (make sure you get on-line first thing in the morning, or you'll never get the dates you want, and you still might need to try a couple times to get ahead of others). Otherwise the process was easy and the communication and reminders from Recreation.gov were very good. A gate code was sent about 3 weeks before our reservation date.
The dirt road from Medicine Lake to the lookout it pretty rough with some big ruts and rocks in places. We had an SUV but I wouldn't recommend it with a regular sedan. We were there on an extremely hot weekend, but it was still great. The gate itself is very heavy; it's easier if you have two people. We left the gate open because we planned to go out to Little Glass Mountain after unloading our gear at the lookout, and one vehicle did drive up while we were getting settled in. Later in the evening, we had two separate parties (2 people each) who walked up from the gate to get the views. They didn't stay long and respected our privacy.
The weather was pretty clear. There was a small fire to the NE so the hills had quite a bit of haze (but not smoke) in the evening and less the next morning. The views were amazing. We were pleasantly surprised to find toilet paper well-stocked by the USFS in the restroom, as well as a couple containers of wet wipes, fly swatters, a lantern (didn't use), binocs. Restroom/cabin were clean and tidy. Lots of flies and in the late evening, lots of mosquitoes. The cabin only has two small half-screens so it got a bit stuffy and we couldn't open the door without letting in flies and mosquitoes.
Beautiful sunset, full-ish moon so it stayed light pretty much all night, early sunrise. Highly recommend this "glamping" experience. There was wood stocked, but we didn't use the wood stove. We brought a camp stove so we could have coffee in the morning. Bring flashlights, bug spray.
Patrick P
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
This was SUCH a great trip! It was a bit smoky from the Park fire, but the lookout wasn't in the smoke most of the time, just the surrounding area. We had great views most of the time too, although even Shasta disappeared for a day. The lookout itself is really cozy, and provided shade throughout the day. As others have said, the lookout does get hot inside, even with the two windows and door open, but sitting in a camp chair in the shade was great. If you have a dog and keep a water dish outside, just know that it will be full of bees drinking from it too, which we were fine with. The proximity to Medicine lake was awesome! Just a short drive to a beautiful little lake. :)
Bruce J
Loop:Area Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
This is a fine lookout/cabin albeit a tad pricey in comparison to other lookouts that are offered. It is very basic - no lights, water, sink, heat except for a wood stove, which by the way, seems to be working now. The weather was on the warm side so I didn't test it. The two beds are good with OK mattresses. The outhouse is fairly decent - no odors. The flies can be a problem. Although the yellow jackets weren't a big problem for me I still brought a baited trap with me per the warnings from other reviews, and I caught about 60 of them so they weren't as annoying as they could have been. The two windows that open with screens are not quite enough to really get air flowing so I left the door open and of course the flies and yellow jackets came in but by dusk they were gone. They just bounce against the windows and the noise can be bothersome but that's it.
My first night there was smoke coming in from the Park Fire but by my second day the northern area of the state was clear enough to give some great views. I came in via Medicine Lake and left via Glass Mountain - both roads are very good and 4 wheel drive is not needed. I went to Medicine Lake to get water.
And the views! Beyond compare. I did have two sets of visitors while I was there each day - all very friendly and only there for 10 minutes at a time.