Mule Peak Fire Lookout

      Mule Peak Lookout was built in 1935 and is wood frame construction. Mule Peak is located in Township 22 S, Range 31 E, Section 15. A National Forest Service Lookout it is also supplemented by BIA as the tower looks over the Tulle Indian Reservation. Mule Peak is a part of the Sequoia National Forest, Hot Springs District. Mule Peak is Located in Tulare County, California, at an elevation of 8,142 feet.

      Established in 1936 as a primary fire detection facility, Mule Peak Lookout was constructed on a rocky peak at elevation 8,142 feet. The C-3 live-in cab was built by the CCC’s who packed all the materials in by horseback. To this day, all materials and supplies must be packed in the 1.25 miles from the parking area or delivered by helicopter. There is a small gable roofed shed built near the base of the lookout. The lookout is in good condition considering the early construction date and very little remodeling that has been done. This sits well with Mark Thornton, who in his 1988 evaluation, gave Mule Peak a rating of 19 of a possible 30, and just makes the list of lookouts eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

      The lookout is funded by the Tule River Indian Reservation and is staffed 5 days a week during fire season (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). Mule Peak is usually open to the public, but unfortunately Mule Peak Lookout is now currently unstaffed in 2011. Some of the information is courtsey of Buck Rock Foundation.