GC7B9CW Devil's Head Fire Lookout
Type: Virtual | Size: Virtual | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Sissadies @ | Hide Date: 08/04/2018 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N39° 15.620 W105° 06.073 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
                               

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William R. Kreutzer, a native of the Sedalia area, and the first U.S. Forest Ranger may have used Devil’s Head summit as a wildfire lookout. He served what was to become the South Platte District of the Pike National Forest between 1898 and 1905. In 1907, the newly created Forest Service planned seven principal lookouts along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains between New Mexico and Wyoming. Devil’s Head was selected to be the location of one of only four lookouts that were eventually established.

Helen Dowe was the first female fire lookout stationed at Devil’s Head, where she served from 1919 to 1921. Dowe was hired because there was a shortage of able-bodied men brought about by World War I. Her position drew national attention, making her a role model for women throughout the country.

The original lookout was constructed in 1919 and was replaced by the current one in 1951. It took 100 men and 71 mules to dismantle the old tower and construct the new one. Devil’s Head Lookout sits on a granite outcrop at the highest point of Rampart Range at an elevation of 9,748 feet. Fires can be easily spotted up to a distance of 75 miles away. This site has been in continuous use since 1912, and is the last full-time Lookout in Colorado. Although the Lookout is only manned during the summer months, it receives several thousand visitors each year.

The Devil's Head Trail (#611) is 1.4 miles long, and has an elevation gain of 865' from the trailhead. The lookout is at 9,748' elevation. This trail receives heavy use; please practice Leave No Trace. Devil’s Head Fire Lookout is over 100 years old, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

LOGGING REQUIREMENT
This is a NEW virtual! Unfortunately, photos from visits prior to its publication do not constitute a find. I hope you enjoy another adventure here. This virtual geocache will be simple - just one photo requirement. Post a picture of yourself/group at the Fire Lookout with the sign included. You may do a photo featuring a trackable instead if you want privacy. Logs without the required photo will be deleted (if you are in a group shot, please mention this in your log so it doesn't get deleted by mistake).

Sample photos:

First to Find Honors go to: lifed49

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Virtual Reward - 2017/2018

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.

Additional Waypoints

017B9CW - Parking
N 39° 16.180 W 105° 06.300

06/28/2019 By SoftballJunkies
Thanks for the virtual!

06/19/2019 By COHodag
Out playing with my pal Greasepot today--finally up for "real" hiking again after a brief hiatus. One of these days GP will figure out how to render my new cacher name (COHodag)--anyone want to wager on how long that takes? Thanks for adding to our fun and TFTC .

06/19/2019 By Greasepot
1:14:00 PM Talked CohoDog into going to the Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower today. I haven't been up there in 12 years. Beautiful day, and lots of people on the trail. Picked up a few caches on the way there, and the way back. Thanks!

06/10/2019 By dndsterns
We road into the parking lot on dirt bikes and ATV's thinking this would be a quick hike. We were wrong and it made it harder in motorcycle boots but it was worth it. Thanks for placing the cache. TTFN

06/07/2019 By dndsterns
Rode in on dirt bike. Beautiful view. TFTC TTFN

06/02/2019 By Tucalota
We brought the Smokey the Bear trackable with us...what better place for him on his 75th birthday than a fire lookout tower at nearly 10,000ft.

06/02/2019 By Wandering Janice
Finally got one today. With PRKenyon

11/19/2018 By 87preludea20a3
TFTVirtual cache, I had a great hike on a beautiful winter day. Still snow up here from last week, made for a more challenging hike. Great view from the tower.

10/12/2018 By grizzlycacher
I have always wanted to hike here but didn’t think my fear of heights would allow it. Unfortunately, once a Virtual was placed at the top, I had to suck it up. I was shaking the entire time, but it was worth it. I would like to return with the whole family when the Ranger is on duty.

09/20/2018 By roamz
What a great day to hike the trail! The temperature was right at 60 with hardly any hikers. Missed seeing Bill in the lookout tower :(

09/10/2018 By tehjoester
TFTC! Hiked up with Boy Scouts Pack 781. Beautiful hike and great experience for the kids!

09/08/2018 By Liomin79
First time with my son to the Devils Head fire lookout.

08/20/2018 By animjason
Hiked this today with my wife, the CO. We love this area, and coming on a Monday meant we had the place to ourselves for most of the morning.

There were thousands of Ladybugs in the bush at the top. We spot them every year, but it is always fun to see them. Ranger Ellis was on his lunch break while we were up top, but we got to chat with him on our way down.

After, we hiked the boulders on the other side and got some unique shots of the tower, including one with Bill climbing up the steps to his post.

Love this new cache, thanks Sissadies! Gets a fave!

08/15/2018 By herndonrd
Out caching with FeartheFish which means me driving his butt all over the place. In the area for some Jim Reeb caches so went up to Devil's Head for the new virtual. Clear day and great view. TFTC!

08/07/2018 By hartsdale
Last time I was back up here on this trail was back in 2012.

On the way up I ran into lifed49 and littlehawk heading back down we chatted for a bit and continued on.

I passed three other couples also heading back down, so at the top I place to myself in the fog.

I never have been up the stairs to the top until today.

Thanks for a fun one!

HD

08/07/2018 By lifed49
Wahoo FTF @ 0630. What a morning. I saw this one pop last night and was determined to go out and get it. Headed to the trailhead at 0400 with Littlehawk accompanying me. When we got there there were a couple cars already there. I was really hoping that none of them were cachers. So we rushed up the trail. Got to GZ about 6:20 all of the others were there catching the sunrise from the tower. Glad to grab this one. On the way down we met another cacher headed up. Glad to be here first. Thanks Sissadies for the fun adventure.

08/06/2018 By Heartland Cacher
Published