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I heard rumours of an abandoned forestry tower near my town that was still standing, and I really wanted to check it out. As a kid, I was fascinated with the idea of having a job just chilling in a look-out tower, overlooking a massive forest, searching for signs of a fire... but overall just getting paid to look at a fantastic view all summer.
The search for this place was a bit of a challenge, but thankfully satellite maps delivered.
I was given directions by word-of mouth from someone who recalled from memory the vague directions. "You know the quarry swimming hole? Take the road just before it that goes East. At the Y intersection, stay to the left. Take the first logging trail to the right. You can see the tower just barely through the trees."
With that, I started plotting the path on Google maps and eventually found a tiny pixel that was grey against the green forest around it.
I wasn't sure exactly, so I checked some other map sources. Ontario has a great website (fishonline, or whatever) which has incredible resolution. With what I believed to be the tower, I consulted with one of my colleagues at work to see what he knew about it. Having lived in the area his entire life, he was very familiar with the Ministry of Natural Resources and what areas they operated.
"What? There's one still standing?" he asked me, puzzled. The explained that they tore most of them down about 20 years ago, and now use aircraft instead for all their fire spotting.
For whatever reason, this one was still standing and very few people knew about it.
I plotted a course, hopped on my bike and rode the old highway East of town. 43km, I took a left turn down a logging road, then at 4.5km, turned left at the intersection. I found the old path going South, off the logging road and I rode my bike up until the path ended at a clear-cut.
I was surprised to see a truck parked there, and a man climbing out of his cab. He looked very surprised to see me parking beside him.
"Hey there, are you going to the lookout tower?" I asked him.
"Uhh... no, I'm here hunting. My blind is over there." He gestured across the clear-cut.
I asked him if he minded me walking over towards the tower and he said it was ok. He was bow-hunting for moose. After walking around a bit, I spotted the tower just barely visible through the tall trees around it.
1.
When I spotted the old Eagle's nest on the top, I immediately knew why this particular one was not torn down yet. They didn't want to disturb the nesting area, which was now abandoned too. (I guess I could add "Eagle's Nest" to my list of urbex locations)
2.
The climb up the ladder was very high and frustrating, as I had to wear my backpack in front of me in order to climb through the safety cage. The trapdoor opened to the observation floor and was very sturdy. I was happy to close it once I reached the top.
3.
The view was incredible. In the fall colours, the air was cool and a breeze flowed through the open windows. I stayed up there, just chilling for about an hour.
4.
The roof had some nice woodworking, and the colour was nice.
5.
The only thing left inside was this small bench and an old mapping table. Back in the day, there would have been a spotting scope with a directional plotter, as well as a radio to broadcast the position of any suspected fires.
Thanks for viewing!
"The time of getting fame for your name on its own is over. Artwork that is only about wanting to be famous will never make you famous. Fame is a by-product of doing something else. You don't go to a restaurant and order a meal because you want to have a shit."
-Banksy
The work of FuriousD: https://www.flickr...photos/opdendries/ | |
Really cool and unique pics, I'd love to find something like this
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I'm surprised to see the eagles didn't decide to make their nest inside for protection from the elements. Maybe they liked the view?
Anyways, wonderful discovery. Thanks for sharing.
It's great to be alive! | |
What a view!
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Those tree color just Pops
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