Your Turn

Devil’s Head Fire Lookout

By Frank Swancara, Jr.


Courtesy of USDA
Forest Service/Mike Henry

I am a native Coloradan, which is not to suggest that newcomers are to be valued any less, but I want to emphasize my strong ties to the Centennial State. Most of my life has been spent in Colorado, and I cherish so many memories, opportunities and unique experiences.

What was the high point of my life? The answer is as clear as our mountain air: being a fire lookout for the U.S. Forest Service on Devil’s Head, in the Pike National Forest southwest of Denver on the Rampart Range.

The lookout dates back to 1912. It was rebuilt in the 1950s, and is still maintained, even though many fire lookout structures have now been abandoned and replaced by other technologies.

It was fall, 1973, and one of the most beautiful seasons of the year you could imagine. The aspen trees were brilliantly golden. Along with my wife (the alternate lookout), two small children, three dogs and three cats, I lived in the small cabin at the foot of the great granite massif that was the lookout’s base. This was our own special place, a mile and a third by trail from the Devil’s Head Campground.


Frank Swancara, Sr., at
Devils’ Head. June 24, 1931.

The views from a fire lookout are always vast, and such was the case from Devil’s Head at an elevation of 9,748 feet above sea level. You could see forever: north to Denver, south to Pikes Peak, east over the plains and west to the Lost Creek Wilderness. It was an ever-changing panorama influenced by the time of day and the weather.

A normal workday began at 8 a.m. It was, however, necessary to leave the cabin a bit earlier in order to climb the 143 steps leading up to the lookout. Duty ended at 5 p.m., unless there was a fire or other emergency. Then you worked until there was no longer any need for communication, message relay or dispatch.

Any lookout is a mecca for visitors, and Devil’s Head received a good number of them. Often, visitors were surprised how my cat could outdistance them on the climb up to the lookout. Well, in reality, it wasn’t the same cat: it was the cat’s twin that could be seen up in the lookout enjoying a nap atop the warm radio console.

Years later I came upon a photo of my father, who had climbed up Devil’s Head in 1931. Little did he know that he would have a son who would man this lookout! I retired after a career with the U.S. Forest Service, serving mostly on the Pike National Forest. It was the best of times.

Devil’s Head, to me, was heaven on Earth, and now a memory of my Colorado.

Devil’s Head Lookout Tower is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the last remaining lookout tower on the Front Range. It is currently staffed from mid-May to October 1; the road will close on December 1 this year. See the U.S. Forest Service’s website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/spl/devils_head.shtml, for more information.

Your Turn

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be 350-450 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. .