Margarita Lookout

Margarita Lookout
Margarita Fire lookout tower as it appeared in 1935
Highest point
Elevation3,087 ft (941 m)
Coordinates33°16′00″N 117°13′48″W / 33.26665°N 117.23°W / 33.26665; -117.23
Geography
Map
LocationSan Diego County, California
Parent rangeSanta Margarita Mountains
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail

Margarita Lookout, also known as Santa Margarita Lookout, is a lookout point in the Santa Margarita Mountains, part of the larger Santa Ana Mountains in San Diego County, California. The original fire lookout tower, built in 1935 by the CCC, was later replaced by a new lookout tower and cabin in 1965. In 1986, the tower and cabin were both burned in a wildfire.[1] In 1988, the burnt tower was destroyed in a collision with a Marine Corps CH-46E helicopter. The lookout tower was badly damaged as a result and was promptly removed.[2] Only a concrete foundation remains today, however the site is still accessible via trail (Margarita Road/Truck Trail). The lookout is approximately one mile north of Margarita Peak, and is located in the Cleveland National Forest.

  1. ^ "Brad Eells, Former Fire Lookout Sites Register, U.S. Forest Service". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  2. ^ San Diego County Forest Lookouts