Fire lookouts are slowly becoming a fixture of the past. Landon Lookout is located on Greens Park at an elevation of 7145’ and is southeast of Eagle Lake. This lookout replaced the State Forestry’s lookout on Shaffer Mountain, near Litchfield. It was opened on September 4, 1949 and named in honor of Don Landon, a California State Forester who was killed in World War II. The lookout when opened was considered “ultra modern,” though in reality it was actually a remodeled naval tower.
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In the 80’s and 90’s my parents, John and Flo Hamilton, worked on various fire lookouts in the region. They were at Landon and also West Prospect Peak, Hayden Hill, Harvey Mountain and Dyer Mountain. As kids in the 60’s and 70’s we spent many weekends visiting fire lookouts. I remember going to Thompson Peak, Pegleg, Antelope Mountain and others that don’t come to mind at the moment.
Scott, I lived at Lake Forest and visited Landon lookout many times and enjoyed talking with your parents. I also worked at Lassen College and remember your Dad teaching in the Forestry department. Thank you for posting.
Steve MacDonald
My aunt and uncle, Bloss and Gordon Reed work at Landon in the late 60’s and 70’s in what was the “old” tower. My family traveled many time up from LA to visit, fish at Eagle Lake, explore “indian” ice caves in the area and bounce around on dirt road in their modified VW bug dune buggy. I always remember my Mom HATED the last turn at the top heading to the lookout. It is a very steep drop off.