• Fire Lookout Guide
    • Standing Fire Lookouts of Washington
    • Former Lookout Sites of Washington
    • Visiting all of Washington’s Historic Lookouts
    • Staffed Fire Lookouts of Washington State
    • Washington Lookouts Open for Overnight Stays
    • Lookout Maps
  • Fire Lookout Journal
    Fire Lookout Journal

    Stories and reflections from trip reports, work parties, and more from visits to Washington State’s last standing historical fire lookouts and lookout sites.

    Kayak Camping Ross Lake in a Smokepocalypse

    Muckamuck Mountain Lookout Site

    Returning to First Butte

    • Fire Lookout Trip Reports
    • Former Fire Lookout Sites
    • Fire Lookout Restoration
    • Fire Lookout Staffing
  • Staffing Goat Peak
    • 2023 Fire Season
    • 2022 Fire Season
    • 2021 Fire Season
  • Blog
    Blog

    Random thoughts, mostly about the outdoors, conservation, and adventure.

    Going Solo

    An Inside Look at King County Search and Rescue

    What I Learned From a Weekend of Silence

    • Peakbagging
    • Backpacking
    • Bicycling
    • Historical Sites
    • Essays
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Travel
  • The Off-Grid Life
    The Off-Grid Life

    Stories about building an off-grid homestead in North Central Washington’s beautiful Methow Valley.

    An Off-Grid Airstream Winter

    Investing in Energy Independence

    Off-Grid Lessons: When Winter Says “Nope!”

  • About
The Off-Grid Life

Digging in My Heels

After several weeks of preparing for winter, working on the property, and learning a lot of hard lessons, last week was full of progress and play. Things are slowly falling into place!
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The Off-Grid Life

I Believe in You

I learned a lot during one of the most challenging and demoralizing weeks I've had thus far while off-grid RV living and bounced back with one of the best weeks I've had so far!
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The Off-Grid Life

A Wild Ride: First Lessons in Off-Grid Living

When a few hours of strong north winds send everything to hell in a handbasket.
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The Off-Grid Life

A Taste of Winter

I finally settled my Airstream onto my own land not quite two weeks ago in late October and then was promptly hit with a new set of challenges: a snow storm and record low temperatures.
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The Off-Grid Life

Closing on a Dream

For more than 20 years I've dreamed of being a landowner and building my own little home. After many years of dreaming and planning, despite a crazy real estate market this year, I finally became a landowner in the beautiful Methow Valley!
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The Off-Grid Life

30 Days of Airstreamin’

I just made it 30 days living in my little 19' Airstream Bambi and this incredibly simple, rewarding life makes me feel more free and happy than I have in a long, long time.
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The Off-Grid Life

Boondocking with Bambi: 2 Weeks of Solar-Powered Living

At the end of August I jumped into off-grid solar-powered living in my 19' Airstream Bambi. I had no idea if it would work, but my ZAMP 180-watt panel has kept me going for 17 days! It's been a simple, enjoyable couple of weeks that definitely make me appreciate the little things!
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Fire Lookout Journal

Driveway Butte

Driveway Butte is a fantastic former fire lookout site just west of Mazama. The route is notoriously dry and hot and will test your legs but reward you with gorgeous views of the North Cascades, Pasayten, and spectacular Goat Wall.
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The Off-Grid Life

Bringing Home Bambi

For many years I've dreamed of owning an Airstream and that dream finally came true! Never let obstacles stand in the way of you and your dreams, even if it takes some extra time to get there. The journey is worth it!
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Peakbagging

Middle Tiffany and Rock Mountain

Middle Tiffany (7,967') and Rock Mountain (7,971') in North Central Washington are on the State's top 200 most prominent peak list AND offer a spectacular summer wildflower show.
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Peakbagging

Clark Peak

Clark Peak (7,890') just south of Tiffany Mountain in the Tiffany Highlands has an incredibly steep north face and makes a great peakbagging destination, especially during the summer wildflower show.
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Peakbagging

Ramsey Peak

While I might not recommend the awful gauntlet of a deadfall route required to get to Ramsey's summit, exploring the Methow Wildlife Area is always a quiet, beautiful experience.
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Hi, I’m Chris, aka TrailChick

Photographer, storyteller, and seasonal fire lookout. Living life off-grid in the beautiful Methow Valley of North Central Washington with two horses and a cattle dog. 🌻☀️

Find Me Online

Goat Peak 2025 Calendar

Goat Peak Fire Lookout - 2025 Calendar
Goat Peak Fire Lookout - 2025 Calendar
by WildChris

Trending Posts

Travel

Washington State Hot Springs

Travel

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Peakbagging

Completing Southern California’s 3 Peak Challenge

Historical Sites

Ghost Tales and History at Cape Disappointment

BackpackingFire Lookout Journal

Backpacking to Heaven on the Devils Dome Loop

The Off-Grid Life

Boondocking with Bambi: 2 Weeks of Solar-Powered Living

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  • Privacy Policy & Terms
  • About
  • Fire Lookout Guide
    • Standing Fire Lookouts of Washington
    • Former Lookout Sites of Washington
    • Visiting all of Washington’s Historic Lookouts
    • Staffed Fire Lookouts of Washington State
    • Washington Lookouts Open for Overnight Stays
    • Lookout Maps
  • Fire Lookout Journal
    • Fire Lookout Trip Reports
    • Former Fire Lookout Sites
    • Fire Lookout Restoration
    • Fire Lookout Staffing
  • Staffing Goat Peak
    • 2023 Fire Season
    • 2022 Fire Season
    • 2021 Fire Season
  • Blog
    • Peakbagging
    • Backpacking
    • Bicycling
    • Historical Sites
    • Essays
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Travel
  • The Off-Grid Life
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