Mount Zirkel Fire Lookout

This fire lookout sits on the summit of Mount Zirkel, the highest peak in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area of northern Colorado. The lookout structure is a simple cabin-style building that provides shelter from the harsh alpine environment. From this vantage point, you’ll see the Continental Divide, the Flat Tops Wilderness, and miles of rugged peaks stretching into Wyoming. The lookout is typically unstaffed but maintained as an emergency shelter.

The approach is a strenuous 8-mile hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain from the Slavonia Trailhead. The trail crosses several stream fords and passes through dense forest before reaching alpine terrain above treeline. Weather can deteriorate rapidly above 11,000 feet — afternoon thunderstorms are common and dangerous. Snow can persist until July, and the road to the trailhead may require 4WD in wet conditions.

12,180-foot wilderness lookout on Continental Divide