BALTIC MOUNTAIN
Eldorado County - Eldorado National Forest & California Department of Forestry
October 10, 1930: "Luke Morgan is home from Baltic Lookout Station for the winter." (Mountain Democrat)
June 19, 1931: "An eighty-foot fire lookout tower, the highest in this section of the state, is nearing completion on Baltic Mountain and will shortly be in service to assist in reducing fire losses in El Dorado and adjoining counties.
The tower is at what is known as Baltic Lookout, a station built and maintained jointly by the State Division of Forestry and by Eldorado National Forest.
In addition to the tower, the buildings at the lookout include residences for U.S. Forest Service Lookout Carlos Tidwell and for State Lookout Tevis Mitchell, who alternate at duty in the "Crow's Nest."
The station represents a joint investment of approximately $3,000. The "Crow's Nest" affords an unobstructed view in all directions and the Sacramento Valley can be seen clearly from Stockton to Marysville on a bright day. Principal business thoroughfares in Sacramento can be picked out at night and the dome of the capital and certain other large electrical displays stand out like sore thumbs, we are told.
The chief value of the station is that the lookout surveys a large area, both in the forest and out of the forest. Which was previously hidden from the view of other lookouts. Establishment of the station will make it possible to pick out fires easily in the area previously "blind" and will assist just that much more in the suppression of fires before they become too large.
Officials hope that the erection of the tower may be completed this week. Anyone interested is invited to visit the new station. Although it is suggested that compensation for the trip will probably be greater if one waits until the tower is completed and can be assured of an opportunity to enjoy the view from the crow's nest.
The new tower will replace a tree previously used by the State Division of Forestry as a lookout. The crow's nest in the tree was 86 feet above the ground.
To reach Baltic Peak, proceed east over the Lincoln highway from Placerville to the Fourteen Mile House, thence south and to the top of Stonebreaker Hill. Turn to the right at the first road beyond the top and then turn at the next road and, we were told "follow your nose.'" (The Mountain Democrat)
July 3, 1931: "The new eighty-foot fire lookout tower on Baltic Mountain was completed during the week and it is expected that the lookout station will receive many visitors over the coming week-end. Those who make the trip will find the view from the tower worth the effort of the trip and one of the best panoramas within a short distance of Placerville." (The Mountain Democrat)
January 1, 1932: "80-foot lookout completed on Baltic Peak." (The Mountain Democrat)
May 23, 1935: "The annual fire guard training school of Eldorado Forest was held this week at Baltic Lookout, opening Tuesday morning. Plans were to close the school Thursday evening.
About twenty men are attending the school, receiving training from Rangers M.D. Morse, R.C.M. Berriman and George B. Young. In previous years the school has been conducted by Supervisor Smith." (The Mountain Democrat)
May 21, 1936: "The annual school of instruction for fire guards and rangers on the Eldorado Forest opened Monday morning at the Baltic Peak lookout.
Assistant Ranger Walter Puhn, of the Georgetown district, is in charge and those in attendance include all fire guards on the forest, district rangers, and CCC camp work superintendents.
Forest Supervisor Edwin F. Smith planned to attend some periods of the school." (The Mountain Democrat)
June 7, 1962: "Careless picnickers were responsible for a fire at Sly Park last Monday that destroyed over a quarter of an acre of brush and damaged many pine trees in the recreation area.
Despite the fact that fires are not permitted in the recreation area outside the designated camp grounds, campers have ignored the posted regulations.
The fire was spotted from the Baltic Lookout station by Mrs. Eula Mae Nevins, and resulted in CDF crews arriving at the park shortly after noon, where they found fishermen in the area attempting to put the fire out.
Assistant ranger, Vernon Stahl, stated that the fire hazard in the Sly Park area is serious, especially when campers will not cooperate with fire rules of the area. Strict enforcement of the fire regulations will be carried out in the area hereafter, Stahl said." (The Mountain Democrat and Placerville Times)
2005: Plans were being finalized for the moving of the tower from the Peak to the County Fairgrounds at Placerville.
Removed