INDEX — A fire lookout where volunteers have spent thousands of hours working on restoration and maintenance was vandalized the first weekend of August, apparently by people looking to stay the night.
They cut through boards and bars around the lookout cabin door and windows. They sawed off the hasps on shutters and forced open a custom-built door. Someone cut a hole big enough for a person to fit through next to a hatch that opens onto the catwalk.
It’s the worst vandalism volunteers can recall at Heybrook, which has had troubles over the years with graffiti and theft, said Forrest Clark, a volunteer with the Everett Mountaineers.
“They left the locks hanging off,” he said.
The damage is estimated at between $2,000 and $2,500 in labor and supplies.
There’s been a lookout on Heybrook Ridge, between Index and Baring, since 1925. The latest lookout was built in the 1960s and has since been rebuilt. It is maintained by the Mountaineers. It’s at the end of a 2.6-mile trail and offers striking views of Mount Persis, Mount Baring and, depending on the day, Bridal Veil Falls, according to the Washington Trails Association.
For years, vandals have abused the lookout. Much of the damage has been from people who paint, draw or carve words and symbols into the rails and elsewhere around the observation deck.
“I’ve had people up there with felt pens just graffitiing right in front of me,” Clark said.
He tells them to stop when he sees it happening.
Clark has been a volunteer for nearly 30 years and in that time he estimates that at least 80 people have helped with the Heybrook Lookout, putting in more than 10,000 hours altogether.
“This is all donated materials and donated time. And there are hikers up there all weekend long,” he said. “I’m fed up with this. We need to get the word out. Don’t just be a silent observer and let this stuff happen.”
A few years ago, the Heybrook Lookout lost its lightning protection system when thieves cut the lines and made off with more than 300 feet of copper wire. The U.S. Forest Service and volunteers have not been able to replace it yet, said John Robinson with the Skykomish Ranger District.
Usually, the culprits behind vandalism or theft at remote lookouts aren’t caught. Several years ago, some vandals were identified thanks to a witness.
“If people see something that doesn’t look right, any damage, if they could report it to us, that would be great,” Robinson said. “When we have vandalism, that really puts a damper in our budget. We don’t have any funding that’s allocated for lookout maintenance right now. We rely on donations and grants.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at Heybrook Lookout can call Robinson at 360-677-2232 or email jrobinson05@fs.fed.us. Donations can be mailed to the Forest Fire Lookout Association, PO Box 43, Snohomish, WA, 98291. They should be labeled “Heybrook Lookout.”
The biggest thing people can do to help, though, is say something if they see something, Clark said. Politely but firmly tell people with pens or knives to stop damaging lookouts. If that doesn’t work, call for help. And if they leave before help arrives, share the information so they can be held accountable.
“Be our eyes,” Clark said. “If you see someone up there doing something, even if it’s me up there working, ask questions. See if you can verify whether they’re vandalizing or doing legitimate work. If you have any doubts about what they’re doing, call 911 and get someone up there.”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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