Restored Fire Lookout in Washington State

[George]

Some friends did this a few years ago. One said the actual scaling didn't bother him so much as the approach do the cables.

I'd give this a shot but I need to be in much better shape than I am now.

The last pull up to the cables is treacherous. You're hiking a narrow set of uneven steps that slope off at pretty steep angles on either side. It really wouldn't be hard to lose your balance and tumble down one side or the other. As for the cables, I really can't believe the park doesn't require more safety precautions. I would've felt much better if I'd had my climbing harness and a carabiner hooked to the cable.

You're right about conditioning; don't take it lightly. My wife and I were barely in decent enough shape to complete the hike. By the time we finished, we were DEAD.