Hi, I’m Chris, also known as TrailChick! You might better know me from my Where in the Wild is Chris? Instagram and Facebook accounts. I’m a photographer, storyteller, and seasonal fire lookout, living off-grid in the beautiful Methow Valley of North Central Washington with my two mustangs Pip and Comet, my quarab mare Aurora, and my cattle dog Hudson.
What started as a blog to document my travels and backcountry adventures has evolved into musings about off-grid living and a deep archive of fire lookout history, photography, trip reports, and stories. Between 2017 and 2019, I embarked on a journey to visit and photograph every standing historical fire lookout in Washington State. I completed my goal on July 1, 2019, after driving nearly 20,000 miles, hiking and biking over 500 miles, and climbing a total of 140,000 feet.
My passion for fire lookouts led me to actually become a seasonal fire lookout myself. In 2021, I began staffing Goat Peak in Mazama, Washington, just north of my home. My rookie season was unforgettable. I reported five fire starts, watched the Varden, Cedar Creek, and Cub Creek 2 fires take hold, and was evacuated after only 18 days on duty. I’ve returned every summer since, advocating for the importance of lookouts in fire management, communications, and community connection.
In 2022, I founded the Methow Valley Forest Fire Lookout Association, a sub-chapter of the national Forest Fire Lookout Association, to provide volunteer support and financial assistance for restoring and maintaining the eight historic lookout sites in the Methow Valley.
Staffing a fire lookout and living off-grid have deepened my connection to the Methow Valley in ways I never imagined. From scanning the horizon for smoke in summer to keeping horse troughs from freezing in deep winter, these experiences have taught me resilience, patience, and a profound respect for living alongside Mother Nature. My world today revolves around what I sometimes can’t believe is real: a small herd of horses and a cattle dog who are my family of five. They’re my daily companions and teachers, helping me slow down, pay attention, and explore wild places in ways I never expected. Whether it’s watching a lightning storm, riding bareback under a full moon on a snowy night, or admiring the golden bloom of balsamroot in spring, I’m constantly reminded why I love this place and the rhythm of living close to nature.
I still staff Goat Peak, now as an employee of the United States Forest Service, and I still visit fire lookouts and former fire lookout sites often. My new goal? Visiting as many fire lookouts as possible on horseback. It’s been such a joy to revisit lookouts with the ponies, and it feels especially meaningful given that, historically, horseback was often the only way these towers could be reached. So far, I’ve made it to five local lookouts on horseback—Goat, Leecher, First Butte, Lookout, and Buck—with many more to come.
Whether you’re here for fire lookout history, trail inspiration, or a glimpse into off-grid living, I hope you find something that sparks your own sense of adventure. Feel free to reach out—I love hearing from readers! I’m also available for guest blogging and freelance writing. You can follow my stories on Facebook and Instagram.
Thanks for reading and happy trails!
