Top Three Fire Tower Hikes

MCCART MOUNTAIN, MT

MAKE IT A FIRST DATE

Nothing says romance like a cozy wilderness car>n on stilts with a wraparound catwalk views of the sprawling Bltterroot Range, and a front-row seat for August’s blazing Perseld meteor shower. You’ll have someone special seeing stars at the McCart Mountain Lookout. Perched at 7,115 feet, it’s furnished with a propane stove, dishes, a wood stove, bed for two. and an outhouse. Best of all. the walk up Johnson Peak Trail, two hours south of Missoula, is an easy 1.5 mites, which means there’s no excuse not to pack in wine and treats. Open from mid-May to October; make reservations up to six months In advance ($30; recreation.gov). Call the Sula Ranger District a week before your trip for the lock combo. (406) 821-3201

AFTER THE FIRE

Hoist a crisp Sawtooth blonde ale and a few Alaskan halibut tacos at Bltterroot Brewing in Hamilton, bltterrootbrewing.com

THE WAY

From Missoula, go south on US 93 for 69 mites to Sula. Drive 17 miles east on East Fork Rd. to Johnson Peak Rd. and go 5.5 miles south to Johnson Peak traithead.

GLASTENBURY MTN.VT

BRAVE AN ANCIENT CURSE

Native Americans believed this 3.748-foot-hlgh mountain was evil, citing legends that the peak swallowed its victims. Test the hex on this 21-mile loop to the peak’s 57-foot tower. Access the Long Trail five miles east of Bennington, and gain 2.500 feet on the moderate 10-mile hike to the lookout. It’s day use only, so drop your pack at the 12-person Goddard Shelter before walking the last 0.3 mile to climb the tower to views of the Adirondacks. The next day. follow blue blazes 7.5 miles on the West Ridge Trail to 2.857-foot Bald Mountain, then descend to the (unction with Bald Mountain Trail. Turn left, reaching the trallhead in 2.8 miles Close the loop by turning right and going 0.7 mile to VT 9. Go left and road-walk another mite to your car. (802) 747-6700

AFTER THE FIRE

Hit Marigold Kitchen in North Bennington for a Sophia Pie, a deeply satisfying brick-oven pizza with basil pesto. locally grown tomatoes, and mozza-rella. marigoldkltchen.net

THE WAY

From Bennington, go east on VT 9 for 5.2 miles. Trailhead parking is on the north side of the road.

THREE FINGERS, WA

CLIMB TO EPIC VIEWS

The Three Fingers Lookout in the Mount Baker-Snooualmle Forest seems too good to be true. From Its 6.850-foot apex, you can see arguably the state’s best sunset (the orb sinking Into Puget Sound) and best sunrise (up-close alpenglowon Mt. Baker). And it’s free. The catch? A tough 8-mlle hike-including a technical glacier crossingto get there. From Saddle Lake trailhead, take Trail #641 to Saddle Lake and Goat Flats, an alpine meadow. Head right to Tin Pan Gap. where you’ll put on crampons and ready the ice axe and rope for a half-mile glacier traverse.