First Butte
Location: 48.6191957,-120.1107184
Summit Elevation: 5,491′
Lookout Type: 14’x14′ L-4 with catwalk
Site Established: 1938
Current Structure Built: 1938
First Butte had always been one picturesque summit, especially with its beautiful old groundhouse. Sadly, the Cub Creek 2 fire in July 2021 severely burned much of the summit. The groundhouse was lost but somehow the lookout miraculously survived, as did the still gorgeous views of the surrounding North Cascades and Pasayten. First Butte was freshly painted in 2021 before the Cub Creek 2 fire by volunteers from the National Forest Foundation and Filson.
History
The First Butte lookout was built by the Forest Service in 1938 and staffed every season until 1997. In 1942, it was staffed year-round as a World War II Aircraft Warning System (AWS). After being used on an emergency-basis in 1998, it returned to use 5 days per week in 1999 and still remains active for emergency use. It was added to the National Historic Lookout Register in 2000.
The ground house at First Butte was originally a garage/woodshed. In 1942 this building was converted to sleeping quarters for enemy aircraft spotters in the AWS mentioned above. Two people were assigned to each station on 12 hour shifts. Unfortunately the historic ground house was lost in the 2021 Cub Creek 2 fire.
