Pig Iron Lookout was built in 1950. This one-of-a-kind 10' wooden tower with a14 x14' cab is actually located one mile west of Pig Iron summit, and overlooks the Umpqua drainage. It is still used in an emergency situation and is sometimes staffed by volunteers. It was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register in March 2000.
The road to the lookout is passable by any vehicle. There is a locked gate about one mile from the lookout. It's just past an intersection so there is room to turn around and park. It is a nice, mostly level walk out to the lookout along the road.
There is another seasonally closed gate at the intersection of the Clearwater River Rd and FS Rd 4780. The Forest Service advises it is locked from Nov 1st to April 30th to prevent damage to the road.
The cache is a regular size container hidden on right side of the road in view of the lookout. No need to go down the bank.