Leon Peak Lookout
Grand Mesa National Forest
USFS
Justin Lawrence (Gunnison NF archaeologist) supplied a copy of this photo with the handwritten caption: "George Bonus, Johnny Wetterick, John D. Dillon - Taken Between 1926-1929"
Elevation: 11236
Status: Standing, in ruins
Year Built: 1911 or 1912
Abandoned: 1915
Leon Peak Lookout was one of the earliest lookouts in Colorado, along with Fairview Peak. These two lookouts share a common history in that they were built early in the century and abandoned after only a few years of service due to severe lighting. Designed before lookout structure standardization, the unique cabin was contructed from logs and corrugated sheet metal.
The following is taken from a Forest Service sign on the summit:
Leon Peak Fire Lookout. Built by Clay Withersteen in 1911 or 1912, lookout guards were stationed at the Leon Peak fire lookout only through the summer of 1915. Constant lightning strikes forced abandonment. The excellent mortise and tenon log contruction of the frame has withstood furious winds for decades, but it may not bear your weight. For the sake of this historic structure and your saftey, please don't climb on it. Thank You -USFS
For more information on Leon Peak, see A History of the Architecture of the USDA Forest Service.