FR4649 Red Mountain Lookout

The Red Mountain Lookout trail is accessed off the paved section of North Harshaw Road, which is bustling with mining and construction vehicles and offers a few large and shady dispersed campsites beside a seasonally dry creek. The trail starts gently from the valley floor but becomes progressively more difficult as the trail climbs toward the lookout. There are two campsites in the lower section, both relatively level and large enough for multiple vehicles, and it is after the second, higher camp that the road deteriorates significantly. With tires aired down and low range engaged, we departed the upper camp and climbed the zig-zagging trail until we reached a steep and loose rocky shelf road incline with off-camber ditches shouldered by rock walls and a steep drop-off. Unable to complete the trail, we reversed carefully to a switchback and retreated. This trail is not recommended for large, heavy overland vehicles but rather for more agile and modified cars. The views are stunning, and the locals say the views from the lookout are worth the effort. There are no facilities but cell service- no facilities for trash, water, or ablutions.