Perched atop a knoll halfway between Happy Jack and Clints Well, on the Mogollon Rim 40 miles south of Flagstaff, the Buck Mountain fire lookout is one of only a few surviving CT-2-type towers in American forests. The hike to the tower—which is not open to the public–follows Forest Road 229B, a scenic forested dirt route that makes a mild uphill climb. Along the way, views of the surrounding landscape include peeks at the mound of Apache Maid Mountain, Sedona’s red rocks to the northwest and the rugged gorges of West Clear Creek and Fossil Creek Wilderness areas to the south.
- LENGTH: 5 miles roundtrip
- RATING: moderate
- ELEVATION: 6,794-7,571 feet
- BEST SEASON: May – October
- FACILITIES: none
GETTING THERE:
- From Flagstaff, go 42.5 miles south on Lake Mary Road (County Road 3) to Forest Road 229 on the right past milepost 302.
- Go 2 miles on FR 229 to FR 229B on the left.
- Park in the dirt turnouts.
- There are several dispersed campsites along FR 229 but there is no camping allowed at the tower.
