Buck Rock-A Chunk of Granite Worth Talking About

About one half of Tulare County's nearly 5,000 square miles of land lies in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This foothill and high country region has a relatively small population, but it's rich in breathtaking natural beauty and interesting history, and one spot has plenty of both. It's called Buck Rock.

The name Buck Rock is familiar to some, but I would guess it is unfamiliar to many. It's off the beaten path and tricky to find at about 8,500' elevation in the Sequoia National Forest, almost to the Fresno County line. The big monolith caught the eye of the Hume-Bennett Lumber Company in the early 1900s where they installed logging equipment, calling it the Finger Rock Hoist. At about the same time, hunters used the base of the rock as concealment while deer hunting, earning the outcropping the name Buck Rock.

Early on, the U.S. Forest Service noticed the rock, too, and quickly saw its potential as a vantage point to spot forest fires. Getting to the top was a challenge. The early fire watchers had to scramble up an old tree trunk leaning against the rock, then use a series of wooden ladders to make the final ascent. There they sat searching for forest fires.

In about 1923, a small cabin or cab, as it was called, was built on top and this live-in structure became the prototype for other lookouts in California and the nation. The tree trunk and ladders were replaced with stairs. Today, 172 sturdy and exhilarating steps take fire lookouts and adventurous visitors to the top.

For over a century, hundreds of fire lookouts have worked at Buck Rock and at least two females have earned a special place in its history. One is Leatrice "Lea" Evinger Dotters, a Bakersfield native who, thanks to World War II, became the first female fire lookout there. While many men were off to war, a lookout position, normally staffed by males, became available and on June 6, 1944, a day we now call D-Day, Lea started work. She worked the entire 1944 fire season earning $120 per month. Lea, now 97 years old, cherishes her time as a lookout and continues to be a strong advocate for preserving Buck Rock Lookout and other lookouts.

There is another female whose life is forever linked to Buck Rock. Her name is Kathryn "Kathy" Ball Allison. The Los Angeles County native worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the 1980s in various assignments, and in 1993, she began working as a lookout at both Delilah and Buck Rock. She knew immediately that she had found her purpose. Her passion grew for lookouts, but she noticed that many throughout the country were being left unstaffed and disappearing. She got together with friends, Jeff Monaco, Dan Vattreal and Mark Swift and they created a non-profit 501(c)3 to help preserve Buck Rock and other lookouts.

In 1999, the Buck Rock Foundation was born. Kathy worked as a lookout for the Forest Service for 23 years and has volunteered for nine. Her love of Buck Rock and her strong advocacy for its preservation is unwavering.

Today, Buck Rock Lookout continues to be staffed during the four-month fire season. Even though it is a "working" lookout, people are encouraged to visit. In fact, about 7,000 people visit each year. It's understandable. The history is amazing and the views are spectacular.

Special Event on July 21

If you have not been there or would like to revisit, the Tulare County Historical Society (TCHS) would like to invite you to a special event. On Sunday, July 21 at noon, TCHS will host a dedication event for the placement of a historic marker at the base of Buck Rock. It is free, open to the public and refreshments will be served. Tours of the lookout will be given to those willing to climb the 172 steps to the top.

For those unable or unwilling to make the climb, the easy 300-yard walk from the parking area to the rock base will give you a front row peek at the lookout and the marker dedication ceremony.

Allow two hours for the drive from Visalia. Directions: From Visalia go north on Hwy 63; turn right onto Hwy 180E and enter Kings Canyon National Park. Even though Buck Rock is in the forest, you will still need to pay a park entrance fee. (Hopefully, you have a pass.)

After entering the park, at the "Y" turn right (south) onto CA 198/Generals Highway. Exit Generals Highway and take the Big Meadows turnoff (FS Road 14S11) and drive three miles to Horse Camp; turn left onto FS 13S04. Follow the signs driving 2½ miles along a dirt road to Buck Rock Lookout.