— just three miles and about 600 feet of elevation gain — but it cer- tainly felt more difficult than ex - pected. Perhaps it was the heat or the months we’d spent away from our usual hiking routine, but each uphill stretch felt more challenging than expected. Typically, when hik - ing to a lookout, we are motivated by the distant view of our destina- tion, a visual goal to push forward. But this is something that Arid Peak did not provide. This unique lookout kept its location secret, ob- scured by the terrain and the sur- rounding forests until we were less than 100 yards away. Finally stepping into the clear- ing, the lookout appeared abruptly, the cab and surrounding catwalk perched high upon its stout timber frame. The structure was modest and worn yet welcoming. A steep staircase, narrow catwalk, and compact interior greeted us, com- plete with a small table, shelves, a wood stove, and beds uniquely framed in metal. Unlike many look- outs flanked by steep cliffs and lit - tle ground to maneuver, Arid Peak’s more spacious ridge includes a cozy fire pit and paths to the outhouse and around the hilltop marked by carefully placed rocks. After unpacking, Cat soon pre- pared a homemade backpacker’s feast, filling the small lookout with a mouthwatering aroma as din- ner sizzled on the propane stove. As we enjoyed dinner, we couldn’t help but discuss the aurora predic- tions we had read. Strong auroras are an uncommon event at our lati- tude, and rumors were that a solar storm had erupted a few days ear- lier, and we might be lucky enough to experience one of nature’s great - est shows. As twilight faded and stars slowly appeared in the night sky above, we remained skepti-
cal yet hopeful as we mounted our camera on our tripods and prepped our gear. At first, the northern sky seemed quiet. We had hauled our camer- as, tripods, lenses, and other gear up the steep mountain trail, only to be disappointed. But a test shot changed everything. After a few seconds of pointing at the dark sky, the digital screen on the back of the camera revealed a faint green glow. A sight too dim for the naked eye but enough for the camera’s sen- sitive sensor to capture the auro- ra for the first time that evening. It would be an understatement to say we felt a surge of excitement as the aurora intensified, stretching vividly toward the heavens, inter- mingling with the arch of the Milky Way. Jim, already fast asleep, was roused from his sleep by my and Cat’s enthusiastic screams of ex - citement at the celestial show be- ginning above. The sky teased us with quiet mo- ments of darkness before exploding again with vibrant color and bril- liance. Each time we were about to give in and accept that the show had ended, it pulsed alive one more time. For hours, we ran all around the lookout, attempting to cap- ture images we could hang on our walls to become treasured keep- sakes, vividly documenting one of the most thrilling experiences of our lives. We awoke the following day, bleary-eyed and tired, the night’s late aurora having stolen many hours of sleep from us. At the same time, I muttered and grumbled about my deflated air mattress, leaving me to sleep directly on the catwalk’s weathered and unforgiv- ing timber planks. After shaking off our fatigue, we hiked back to our car to explore the St. Joe Forest’s
The trail to Arid Peak winds through dense forest, keeping the historic fire tower hidden until the final approach reveals its secluded mountaintop perch.
St. Joe Ranger District joined in a restoration project; they replaced all of the beams atop the legs and underneath the cab and the stairs, which had collapsed in 1970. Add- ed to the rental program, Arid now lives a second life as a rustic refuge to modern adventurers, offering a unique place to stay and a glimpse into a bygone era. Me, along with fellow lookout en- thusiast Cat House, and our friend Jim Stoner, had reserved the look- out six months prior and eagerly awaited this escape into the wilder- ness. The hike wasn’t challenging
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