Vetter Mountain

Bobcat Fire Closure Order (6/1/2023 – 5/31/2024)

The area around Vetter Mountain has reopened! Make sure and check the Angeles National Forest Alerts & Notices page for any recent updates before visiting.

Alerts & Notices Page

June 2023 Closure Order

Closure Map

The 14 x 14 foot wooden cab with its high ceiling has been called the “friendliest lookout” because it sits directly on the ground and is accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

The tower overlooks the Chilao-Charlton Recreation Area. It is an easy destination for many hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Originally built in 1937, the Vetter Mountain Lookout was re-opened to the public by volunteers on May 30, 1998.

The original tower was destroyed by the Station Fire in August of 2009. Construction of the rebuilt Vetter Mountain Lookout was completed April, 2020 and reopened for service July 4th weekend, 2020.

Vetter Mountain is listed in the National Historic Lookout Register.

Scroll down for map and directions.

Weather Information

National Weather Service for Vetter Mountain Area

Statistics

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
USFS Tower Number: A-7
Date Built: 1935
Date Rebuilt: 2019
Elevation at foot of Tower: 5,908 feet
Cab: BC-3
Tower: No tower structure
Location of Lookout: Coordinates (G,5) on Angeles National Forest Map
Legal Location: T.3N, R.11W Section 33

The 2009 Station Fire &
Rebuilding Vetter Mountain

The original Vetter Mountain Lookout was lost in the 2009 Station Fire. For 10 years ANFFLA volunteers continued to maintain fire lookout services at Vetter Mountain with a temporary structure.

In 2019 the Vetter Mountain Lookout was rebuilt through a partnership with Southern California Edison. Construction began in September, 2019 and was completed in April, 2020. The new lookout was first staffed over the 4th of July weekend of 2020.