The Needles (Sequoia National Forest)

The Needles are a series of massive granite rock formations rising up from the North Fork of the Kern River near its junction with the Little Kern River.

Background
The Needles Lookout is located 2.5 miles off the Western Divide Highway, 10 miles north of Mountain Road 50. Johnsondale, California is the nearest town, with Boy Scout Camp Whitsett around 4 miles from Johnsondale. On July 28, 2011, the Needles lookout, constructed in 1937-1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was destroyed in a structure fire. The lookout tower stood atop the rock formation at 8245 feet.