Red Mountain lookout is one of the last remaining active fire lookout stations in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It has been rebuilt twice throughout the years, and the current iteration was restored by volunteers in 2010.
There were no bears to be seen, and the steep forest road (partly rough gravel) was not ideal for walking—but the 180-degree panoramic view from the summit more than compensates. Four volcanoes can be seen in the immediate and wider area.