PINE MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

I dropped by the lookout while biking Pine Mountain from Potter Valley. If biking, I recommend coming from the lake side and not the Pine Mt turnout intersection. Less steep and has some breaks in the climb. The approach on the west side is a long, no break climb. Vehicles do not require high clearance or four wheel drive, but wouldn't recommend a car. I didn't stay in cabin, but it was open. Cab... I dropped by the lookout while biking Pine Mountain from Potter Valley. If biking, I recommend coming from the lake side and not the Pine Mt turnout intersection. Less steep and has some breaks in the climb. The approach on the west side is a long, no break climb. Vehicles do not require high clearance or four wheel drive, but wouldn't recommend a car. I didn't stay in cabin, but it was open. Cabin doesn't appear to have electricity or water. There is a modern toilet separate from the cabin.

Beautiful views and unique historic cabin. The sunset views were my favorite part. It wasn’t too hard to find even though google gave us different directions that recreation.gov. The way google took us saved time but had more driving on gravel roads. We didn’t see any snakes or any wildlife except birds and squirrels. Despite it being July, it wasn’t too hot at the cabin because there was a nice b... Beautiful views and unique historic cabin. The sunset views were my favorite part. It wasn’t too hard to find even though google gave us different directions that recreation.gov. The way google took us saved time but had more driving on gravel roads. We didn’t see any snakes or any wildlife except birds and squirrels. Despite it being July, it wasn’t too hot at the cabin because there was a nice breeze. A poster inside the cabin warns of a resident mouse in the cabin, and after staying 2 nights I will say that this cabin may not be the best night’s sleep for people who are bad sleepers and don’t like rodents. While trying to fall asleep I could hear the mouse/mice running about and chewing on the wall, thus making it impossible to fall asleep. As a result, I didn’t sleep the first night and slept in the car the second night. My husband meanwhile falls asleep anywhere almost instantly and he had great sleep. One other thing is that there is not much to do in the area. I hoped to go hiking, but there did not seem to be trails nearby. I suppose we could have walked on the dirt road but there were logging trucks (which were pretty noisy the first morning but were done by around noon). We did drive down to Lake Pillsbury which was underwhelming and hot. So I would recommend planning ahead for activities/entertainment you can do at the cabin. Overall it was a nice place to get away, I might go back.

Pine Mountain Lookout in California is a lookout cabin that the National Forest Service rents. We stayed 2 nights. They did not mention that the forest surrounding the lookout was being logged at the time. Lots of unexpected noise. The cabin also did not lock, so we did not feel like leaving our camping supplies in the cabin was very secure. We did kill a rattlesnake just outside the cabins door.... Pine Mountain Lookout in California is a lookout cabin that the National Forest Service rents. We stayed 2 nights. They did not mention that the forest surrounding the lookout was being logged at the time. Lots of unexpected noise. The cabin also did not lock, so we did not feel like leaving our camping supplies in the cabin was very secure. We did kill a rattlesnake just outside the cabins door. The cabin had very little supplies - so be sure to bring everything you need. This is a great place for a nice view.

Rented the cabin for two days this past week. It was gorgeous! Absolutely everything I was hoping for. Except the rattlesnakes. Whole nest of rattlesnakes living in the stone foundation of the cabin. We had been there about two hours when I went to put our lunch things away and found the first one on the steps leading up to the door. Cautiously discovered 4 more of various sizes moving through th... Rented the cabin for two days this past week. It was gorgeous! Absolutely everything I was hoping for. Except the rattlesnakes. Whole nest of rattlesnakes living in the stone foundation of the cabin. We had been there about two hours when I went to put our lunch things away and found the first one on the steps leading up to the door. Cautiously discovered 4 more of various sizes moving through the coves of the stones in the span of 15 minutes. We decided it was best to leave. It takes about an hour and a half to get out to the look-out on a forest access road. If either myself or my partner (or our dog!!) had gotten bit, there would have been no gurantees. If you go, be smart, be safe, and don't take your pets or kids.

My girlfriend and I spent 3 nights at this amazing lookout. Although we didn't come acrossed any rattlesnakes, most likely due to the fact that it is October and cooling down, the shack was full of yellow jackets when we first arrived! Luckily the lookout was armed with hornet spray and a few fly swatters and within no time we had the place cleared out. After that it was the most relaxing time eve... My girlfriend and I spent 3 nights at this amazing lookout. Although we didn't come acrossed any rattlesnakes, most likely due to the fact that it is October and cooling down, the shack was full of yellow jackets when we first arrived! Luckily the lookout was armed with hornet spray and a few fly swatters and within no time we had the place cleared out. After that it was the most relaxing time ever. Beautiful sunsets, awesome camp fires, and not a soul in sight. We couldn't have asked for a better time and being it is dog friendly our pups were able to have a blast too! We very much hope to be able to return to the Pine Mountain lookout for another visit very soon. No electricity or running water, but bring a few lanterns and take a drive down to Eel River to wash up and you will have the time of your life.