Mara fire lookout is on the summit of the highest mountain of the Hunter Range (Morton Peak). This is the range in the North Okanagan sandwiched between Enderby, Mara Lake and Sicamous to the west, and Mabel Lake to the east. To add some confusion, there is also a Mara Mountain (without a fire lookout) just to the south.
Access:
There is ATV road access from both the north and south. Hikers can park on Owl Head FSR to access from the north or drive up 3 Valley Mabel / Mara Lookout FSR as far as possible for access from the south.
Winter access:
The whole area is a very popular for snowmobiling but in the shoulder seasons, it is possible to access for ski touring. The bowls below the lookout to the south are excellent for ski touring in November/December before access becomes too difficult.
The fire lookout was first operational in 1923 and the structure was replaced in 1950. Active fire monitoring was in effect from the lookout until 1998. The BC government provided funds for restoration in 2012 but it has slowly deteriorated in the years since.
