Hells Half Acre Lookout

Trail Overview

Hells Half Acre Lookout Road is an 11-mile one-way trail that offers an easy ride through regrown clear cuts, burn areas, rocky hills, and forest. The road is narrow but includes frequent pullouts for passing, with minor runoff areas and scattered rocks that do not present significant difficulty. Along the way are several camping and picnic spots. The lookout is manned and open to visitors only during certain hours.

Photos of Hells Half Acre Lookout

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Difficulty

This trail is an overall easy ride with a few sections of runoff and scattered rocks. The final stretch becomes steeper as it climbs toward the lookout.

History

In 1930, Hell's Half Acre Lookout on the Bitterroot National Forest was a platform on a 40-foot tree top. In 1940, it was replaced by an L-4 cab on a 10-foot tower, which in turn was replaced 20 years later by this R-6 flattop catwalk on a 10-foot concrete base. From its spot four air miles south of the Montana Road in the Magruder Corridor, Hell's Half Acre Lookout overlooks the upper reaches of the Selway River in the adjacent Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. It is regularly staffed during the fire season.

Technical Rating

Hells Half Acre Lookout can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike