Mileage and elevation depend on which route you take and how far you walk the ridge, but we will just talk about the lookout site first. Damfino Lakes is much easier - around 3 miles and 1500 gain with a water source as you break out to meadows. If you come up from the highway, it is about four miles and 4000 gain. There is a water source just before the pass - load up there if you're backpacking as no water on the ridge until Welcome Pass. Even that water source could go dry some years. My family did this one every year. My father tried to save the lookout, but the Forest Service burned it down anyway. There are two trails to the top - the one from the pass is steeper than walking way out and around and back up - easy to do if you're walking the ridge anyway. I've seen people camp up there - haul your water up unless there's snow. It is an impressive view, and there is no season when this does not have spectacular scenery! If you go on a weekend when Damfino Lakes trail is open, you will be sharing it with a lot of people.