Sand Dunes State Forest and Lake Ann Campground just 5 miles north of Big Lake. I remember climbing up the ladder to the old fire lookout tower and I think I was actually in it but memory is a tricky thing. Does anyone else remember being able to go into it?
Jon Baldwin I am aware of some ladder climbing of that tower, by my classmates in the early 1980s, the trap door to get inside the structure on top, was padlocked.
Bob Olson I WOULDN’T GO UP THERE , the thing was rotten and rusty when we were kids in the early 60’s. Mike Brown and I climbed up there and damn near fell through the floor and that ladder was really crusty and rusty
Jana HarrerGroup Admin It’s locked up tight at the bottom of the ladder now. So kids, don’t try this. However, I think it’s been repaired since the 60’s it’s looking good now.
Bob Olson surprised its still standing, what is to burn out there a housing development?
Eric Bondhus I know we climbed up and around the 1980 era but it was like Jon said paddle locked at the bottom.
Kathy Arneson My Grandfather was the forester in that tower
Jana HarrerGroup Admin any pictures of him? in it? in uniform?
Peggy Johnson We climbed it many times as kids, too. Looks much nicer now.
Justin A. Kudla I climbed it after the tornado that hit last March. Glass was missing, they have a lock on it now, and one of the brackets are broke from the tornado. I’m a lil dare devil, I would of gone in it if it weren’t locked; however, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to climb it.
Cindy Bialka Walker My whole family did we lived just a mile or two from it
Jana Harrer There’s a whole association dedicated to saving and preserving historic fire lookout towers. Who knew? http://www.ffla.org/index.html
Michael Ronayne i climbed the tower in 66 or 67 and found a padlock on the hatch in the floor
Lee Fischer Hi Jana.. My sister and I went there and I did climb the Tower and Looked around..We we’re out with the snow mobiles….
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