Established as a fire detection point in 1923, the summit has
had a fire observer every summer since. The reason will be quite
evident when you look at the surrounding terrain. The entire area
has been sculpted by fire, including one that threatened the
lookout a few years ago. What is left is an interesting mosaic of
fire-killed snags and live green trees. Desolation is usually
staffed from late June/early July through the end of September.
This area receives quite regular summer thunderstorms, thus
resulting in many lightning-caused fires. Early fall finds
occasional human-caused fires resulting from warming fires in the
North Fork John Day Wilderness to the north. The importance of
early detection is evident as you ponder the view. Desolation has
several neighboring lookouts, leaving very little area here that
isn't covered by fixed detection. To the north is Tower Mtn
Lookout, northeast is Johnson Rock Lookout, east is Mt. Ireland
Lookout, south is Indian Rock Lookout, west is Ritter Butte
Lookout, and northwest is Madison Butte Lookout.
You are looking for an ammo can hidden out of sight from the
lookout. It has trading items, a logbook and writing
instruments.
The road to the summit will normally be open to vehicular
traffic from late June until the first good mountain snowstorm in
the fall. The last few miles are not suitable for cadillacs or
corvettes. 4WD is not required unless the road is muddy. I find the
best access is off Forest Road 10 at Desolation Guard Station
southeast of the lookout, taking the 1010 road. The spur road to
the top is signed.