Oak Flat

Distance: Approximately 1mile
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Spring, Summer and Fall
Location:Sequoia National Forest

Info:See the official Sequoia National Forest Site for info on the Lookout.

Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

Directions to Start:
How to Get There:
Oak Flat Lookout is located 25 miles east of Bakersfield. To reach the start, take Highway 178
to Rancheria Road. Proceed 15 miles north to road FS 27S20 signed as 'Oak Flat Lookout'.
The road is an improved gravel road, but you should be on the lookout for livestock and other
traffic. Park in the pulloff area just past the gate.

Description:
Built in 1934, Oak Flat Lookout served a vitally important function for its 50 years of operation.
It provided fire fighters with an unobscured view of the spectacular Sequoia National Forest.
The lookout person (both men and women served as lookouts) scanned the horizon all day,
studying maps and the forest, reporting the size and type of any smoke or fire.
Oak Flat was a key lookout, providing an integral communications service in the Kern River
Canyon, where radio relay was very difficult due to the terrain.  Oak Flat was the only lookout
with an outgoing telephone line, acting as guardian to other lookouts, listening and helping
whenever needed. No longer in service, the lookout can be rented for a stay at only $35 per night.
See the info section above for the National Forest information. If you just go for the letterbox,
you can visit the lookout afterwards (another 3/4 mile up the road) , but please, if there are
people at the lookout, don't disturb them.

Clues:
From the locked gate, walk around the locked gate and up the dirt road approximately 3/10 of
a mile, keeping to the right where the road forks. You will reach a wood bench and empty
sign. From the back of the bench, follow the road at 40 degrees magnetic North for 30 steps.
Look for a small cow trail heading off the left side of the road. Follow this trail at 30 degrees
for 36 steps to a big old oak tree. The letterbox is located at the base of the tree behind some
downed wood on the far side of the tree. Please return the letterbox and hide it well when
you put it back. This is an orphaned box, so let us know by email when you visit!
Head back up the road to see the lookout, or return the way you came.
If you have time, visit the Hole-in-the-Stump Letterbox farther up Rancheria Road.

advtrvlr2001@yahoo.com
Enjoy... KatPau