Green Ridge Lookout guards Metolius basin

Perched on top of Green Ridge at 4,600 feet is the only volunteer fire lookout in our local forest. Sixteen volunteers divvy up the schedule (some as couples; some as single lookouts) for fire watch duty between July 1 and Labor Day.

Marilyn Anderson, who has been doing this for seven years, is in charge of the volunteers. They work under direction from Sisters Ranger Station and Central Oregon Dispatch (COD).

The fire watch day at Green Ridge runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. unless there is lightning or fire activity requiring monitoring later in the evening.

The lookout/living quarters are housed in one room, which comes equipped with a single bed, stove, propane refrigerator, water and sink. Marilyn tells how she and Glen Corbett cleaned up the old lookout when getting ready to put it back in service late in the '80's.

"We found quite a few pack rat nests in the old bed's mattress " said Marilyn. She goes showed some of the holes they made.

Fire watch equipment includes a Phoenix radio, cell phone and portable radio. There is also an Osborne fire finder, binoculars and maps of the local area. Weather measuring devices are present as well as safety equipment.

An insulated stool remains ready to stand on during lightning storms; two fire tents are provided. Some of the office furniture comes from John Anderson's (Marilyn's husband) old dental office.

Green Ridge's panoramic 180-degree view covers the Metolius Basin to the North with coverage of Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Warm Springs has their own lookouts and fire-fighting crews and there is good cooperation between all of the local fire units.

Other landmarks visible from Green Ridge include Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Hoodoo, Black Crater, and the Three Sisters (to the south).

There are many campgrounds located in the Metolius Basin as well as cabins which are monitored. The House on the Metolius and Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery are other distinctive areas viewed from Green Ridge. Also seen is Metolius Meadows - a residential area at the foot of Black Butte - part of which is shadowed from view of the Black Butte fire lookout station.

The original Green Ridge lookout station was built in 1933 and lends itself to a rustic wilderness experience. Some of the volunteers stay overnight; most go home after closing the lookout.

A few hundred feet down the steep terrain to the west of the present lookout is evidence of an earlier lookout station set on a small cliff. Broken dishes, nails, etc. are all that remain.

Besides the luxuries listed above, there are two outside picnic tables; one in the shade of the lower outside deck and one in the day's sun. Propane powers cooking, lighting and heating at Green Ridge. There is an outhouse located nearby called the "throne " room by some of the volunteers. It offers a breathtaking view of Mt. Jefferson.

Those wishing to visit Green Ridge and see the station may stop by and say "Hi," sign the guest book and enjoy the view. Volunteers will be there until Labor Day.

Green Ridge lookout is about 20 miles northwest from Sisters as the eagle flies. Take Highway 20 west from Sisters for six miles. Turn right on Road 11 (Green Ridge Road) and go to the end of pavement. Turn left on Road 1150; left at Road 1154; left on Road 1140. Finally, take a right onto Road 600 to the gated entry. Walk a quarter mile down Road 650 to Green Ridge lookout.

Be prepared for an awe-inspiring view.