At the point where the Pinyon Peak Loop Road starts its drop down into the Beaver Creek drainage … there is one more site of interest… that of the old Feltham Peak Lookout. A side track climbs for approx. a 1/4 of a mile to the old lookout site.
The lookout is since long gone, but the piling blocks still remain confirming the site location. Removed back in the 1960’s, presumably replaced by the current and higher Pinyon Peak Lookout. I have this adversion to lookout attendants. So many these days are grumpy and seem to not want to be bothered, understandable … I guess, so I prefer to visit the sites before and after the season so that I can mill around and enjoy the view on my terms … with no remaining structure Feltham qualifies as a mid season exception.
Clockwise pano …. Pinyon Peak at center
This last photo is of the Beaver Creek drainage that we are now headed down ….
The area is heavily burned from the Halstead Fire, but still pleasant to ride through …. the Lodge Pole Pine is pretty small in diameter, easy enough to hop with a bike, but if in a truck… I would carry a saw.
The Beaver Creek/Pinyon Peak Loop Road (172) eventually connects to the Seafoam/Vanity Summit Road (008)…
5th gear-
We’re making good time when we roll up on a logging operation that was just finishing up loading a truck …. only delayed a few minutes.
Hwy 21-
A quick blast down Hwy 21 puts us back onto the Bear Valley – Landmark/Stanley Rd (198)
Our next destination is Deadwood Reservoir. We will pass along the North side of Bear Valley following Elk Creek.
To be continued ….