A Day at Black Mountain Lookout Tower

Black Mountain Fire Lookout Tower

 Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience especially when you are a part of something that is meaningful to you.  Since we live in a fire-prone area, we are extremely motivated to be fire lookout volunteers. Besides volunteering at the Tahquitz Fire Lookout tower, we have joined the Black Mountain team as well.

Historical Photos

 I love being part of history. The original wooden tower on Black Mountain was built in 1926. The new metal tower replaced the older structure in 1962. That is almost 100 years of people dedicated to searching for smoke and fire in a 20-mile radius circle in all directions of the tower.

Folly and San Jacinto Peak

 Views from the tower are stunning. Besides looking for fire or smoke, one of our responsibilities while up at the tower is to learn our geographic landmarks. It's been challenging and quite interesting to expand our ability to identify places from different places in the wilderness. If we were birds, we would have a much easier time at this since they are used to flying over different terrain and knowing exactly where they want to land.

Cassin's Finch (female) (Haemorhous cassinii)

Speaking of birds....when life is good and there are no emergencies going on, it's a great time to admire the birds and other wildlife from the perch of the tower. Black Mountain tower invites feathered friends with their railing birdfeeders. It's not often you can see a Cassin's Finch unless you go to the higher elevations.

 I've seen a few male/female Cassin's finches with quite messy-looking beaks. I've decided that the nearby sap-covered cones of the Limber Pine and Sugar Pine trees are the culprit. This female looks like she has bugs stuck on sticky sap on her beak.

This male cleaned his bill on the branch before having his photo taken.

Boulder Basin campground, located within a mile of the tower, is appropriately named. Huge, interesting-shaped boulders are scattered throughout. We camped here and loved it. However, it's a bit challenging driving up the 5-mile USFS dirt road. A 4WD, high clearance vehicle is the best option. Despite the challenges, it is a popular place in the summer with "boulderers". In fact, many of the boulders have been named and special routes for ease in climbing have been written in a guide to bouldering.

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

After our tower shift was over, I wandered between the boulders following the descending call of a Canyon Wren in hopes of getting a photo. While I was looking at the wren and other birds, this bird-hunter landed on a snag behind me sending all the birds into hiding. One of those unexpected but exciting moments.

 Sometimes, restless, sleepless nights are worth it!

Happy Summer!

Photos and content by Robin Roberts

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