Benchmark Lookout

San Juan National Forest

(map link)

As with most manned fire lookouts these days, there is a road all the way to the bottom of Benchmark Lookout. Right about the edge of the 7.5' quad, that road turns from improved to unimproved and that is where I parked. I could probably have carefully driven the little Scion over the rocks that suddenly started popping out of the road, but I was looking for a little walk. I pulled out of the route of travel and started what became quite a wildflower walk. Well, a stroll really. It is a very gentle generally upward slope to the lookout.

On the left, the remnants of a turn around leave plenty of room for a three point turn. The lookout is just visible in the center in the distance.

A small group of mules ear.

Tall blue flax was waving in the wind.

The larkspur all along the road.

Mules ear and larkspur were the most abundant of the flowers, but numerous others were scattered along the way.

The larger horned lizard was sitting right in the middle of the road for maximum heat.

Wallflowers lend different yellows.

The smaller horned lizard scampered from its covered spot into the growth.

There aren't a lot of views along the way, but one does expect to get plenty of that right at the end.

Most of what might be view is blocked by the oaks growing back in since the last fire.

Both a butterfly and a caterpillar enjoying a mules ear.

Sometimes there's a break in the trees for a view.

Geraniums are likely invaders.

You can't sneak up on the lookout, at least not while coming up the road. They were out and, I'm pretty sure, looking at me at one point.

The buckeye is in bloom.

Getting close to the fire lookout, with working lookout inside.

The oak trees are also in bloom.

The Glade is far below and the mountain is named for it.

There's a locked gate just before the lookout itself (and the road gets really rough after it) and a little parking lot. A sign invites all who come to walk up the rest of the way.

The benchmark at Benchmark Lookout.

The lookout mentioned that original fire lookout was on Glade Mountain, the slightly lower peak. They probably guessed wrong which was higher or maybe it was able to look into a canyon that this one doesn't. View mapping was apparently a job, so maybe there was something about the view that was just considered better over there. The surveyors got it right, though. That old one was probably Glade and this new one is Benchmark. And I got to go up it. There were quite a few stairs. I think it's the tallest I've been up.

South captures the road in and La Plata Mountains in the distance.

Canyonlands to the east after a drop off.

From here, The Glade hides a bit.

Very far off are some 14ers. Wilson Mountain, Wilson Peak, and El Diente.

The Lone Cone looks interesting on the far side of the canyons.

Eventually I had to go down and head back along the wildflowers.

I different sort of larkspur.

A butterfly inflates its wings for that first flight.

Yellow and these white sweet peas could be found.

I hadn't yet spotted all the flowers I'd seen on the drive up, so I stopped a couple times on the way down to capture some more flowers. There was, in particular, a shot of red I was looking for.

Tiny morning glories grew all along where the road was improved.

Small bushes of lupin could be found.

The shock of red had been a scarlet gila.

So that was a delightful little trip.

*photo album*




©2022 Valerie Norton
Written 23 Jun 2022