退隱山林: Devil's Head Fire Lookout, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (October 22, 2023)

The Devils Head Lookout, Pikes Peak is visible to the left

Devil's Head Fire Lookout, located in the Front Range near Denver, is Colorado's last full-time fire lookout. Built in 1912, it's over 100 years old and remains manned due to frequent camping and recreational activities in the area, resulting in numerous man-made fires and lightning-induced fires.

In 1991, this popular lookout was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since its construction, the tower has been a major tourist destination for hikers on the mountain. While the mountain itself isn't very high, the view from the rocky outcrop at the top of the trail, offering panoramic 360-degree vistas of the surrounding peaks, is truly spectacular. From May to September each year, rangers are stationed at the lookout point (it was late October when I visited yesterday, but there were still rangers). A ranger lives in a small cabin below the rotating metal staircase at the lookout point. To the left of the cabin, climb the steep metal staircase with its 143 steps to reach the historic Fire Lookout on Devil’s Head.

Upon reaching the Fire Lookout, if a ranger is present, visitors are welcome to go inside and observe through binoculars how rangers protect the arid Colorado Mountains from wildfires. The views from the lookout are breathtaking, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding area for miles around.

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Hiking Trail: Devil's Head Lookout Trail

Summit Marker: Devil's Head Fire Lookout, 9,748 ft/2,971 m

Trailhead: Devil's Head Trailhead, 8,825 ft/2,690 m

Hiking Distance: 2.8 miles/4.5 km round trip

Total Elevation Gain: Approx. 950 ft/290 m

Hiking Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

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Driving Information:

From your home in Thornton, head south on I-25 S. At Exit 207B, take the interchange and continue south on US-85 S. After approximately 20.2 miles, turn right onto CO-67 S heading southwest. Continue for another 10.0 miles, then turn left onto Rampart Range Road heading south. Rampart Range Road is an unpaved dirt road; although there are occasional potholes and vehicles kick up dust, it is generally well-maintained and suitable for most small cars. After 8.9 miles south on Rampart Range Road, take the left fork onto Forest Service Road 300. Continue straight for approximately 0.4 miles until you reach the Devils Head Campground fork. Take the right fork and continue for another 0.2 miles to reach the Devil’s Head Lookout Trailhead Parking Lot (coordinates N39° 16.182' W105°). 06.289', elevation 8,815 ft / 2,687 m; trailhead is at the southwest end of the parking lot.

The huge rock next to the parking lot

Trail summary:

Starting from the trailhead at 10:25, coordinates N39° 16.164' W105° 06.304', altitude 8,825 ft / 2,690 m;

Devils Head Trailhead

Heading south along the fairly wide trail, you soon find tall, straight aspen trees standing tall beside the trail. If you come to climb the mountain when the leaves turn yellow at the end of September, you can expect to see beautiful scenery.

Aspens stood by the trail

After walking about 0.3 miles, the trail changes from poplar trees to evergreen coniferous species such as Douglas fir, and the trail also turns northeast and becomes a bit steep.

Devils Head Trail

The trail ascends northeast for about 0.2 miles before turning south and zigcing upwards.

The huge rock along the trail

The Devil's Head Lookout Trail is a fairly accessible trail with a gentle slope and good maintenance. Every so often, there is an information board explaining the trail's flora and fauna, the formation of its rock formations, and recounting local legends.

Trail ecological interpretation sign on the Devils Head Trail

The relevant authorities thoughtfully provided seats at intervals for tourists to rest;

Devils Head Trail

Occasionally, huge rocks stand beside the trail, and you can occasionally gaze at distant giant rocks through gaps in the forest.

The huge rock along the trail

Mountain view from the trail

Devils Head Trail

11:27 Arrived at Zinn Memorial Trail #815 junction, coordinates N39° 15.703' W105° 06.061', elevation 9,591 feet/2,923 meters, approximately 1.2 miles/1.93 kilometers from the trailhead;

Devils Head Trail & Zinn Trail junction

Because the sign is nailed to a tree and is not very close to the trail intersection, it is easy to miss. If you go west for about 0.3 miles along the left fork, you will reach the Zinn Overlook viewpoint, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Pikes Peak. The viewpoint is named after U.S. Navy Commander Ralph Zinn.

This viewpoint is located above Zinn Overlook

Devils Head Fire Lookout as seen from Zinn Memorial Trail

After wandering around the area for a while, we took the right fork and continued south in a zigzag pattern towards Devil's Head Lookout.

At 11:42, after passing through a narrow path between rocks, we reached an open, flat area, coordinates N39° 15.649' W105° 06.113', elevation 9,676 ft / 2,949 m;

Through the narrow portion

Meadow below the fire lookout

There is a small cabin on the left side of the trail, which serves as accommodation for the rangers at the fire lookout post;

Ranger summer cabin at the end of the Devils Head Trail

On the right side of the trail, there is a public toilet (closed) and a small wooden hut whose purpose is unknown;

The toilet on the lookout tower below, next the cabin

The walkway is surrounded by wooden railings on both sides, and visitors are not allowed to enter without permission. Above this open and flat terrain is the Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower.

Devils Head Fire Lookout as seen from Ranger summer cabin

A short walk along the path between the wooden railings leads to the iron staircase to Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower. Nearby, there is an informational sign explaining the history of the lookout tower.

This sign at the end of the trail details the history of Devils Head

Next to the information board is a staircase leading to the top of the mountain, with a total of 143 steps.

Start of the stairs to the lookout

11:45 Climb up the steep iron ladder to Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower;

Stairs to Devils Head Fire Lookout

Although the stairs may not seem steeper than other staircases, there are several landings along the way to catch your breath if needed, and once you reach the top, it's a short walk to the fire lookout.

The Devils Head Lookout, Pikes Peak is visible to the left

Taken from Devils Head Fire Lookout

The fire lookout tower can only accommodate a maximum of 5 visitors at a time. You can go inside the lookout tower to tour the area, discuss issues with the rangers, or enjoy the surrounding scenery from the veranda outside the lookout tower.