Cotter Dam Lookout

Summary

The trail to this lookout starts near the base of the dam wall. There is a constant, though not difficult, climb to a lookout in front of the top of the dam's spillway.

Unfortunately, the view doesn't offer much more than you can see from the bottom, however you are closer. It looks like the trees will block the view in the next 5 years or so.

BUT the real treasure here are the 2 staddle dams to the side of the main dam. These dams offer vistas over the water in the dam and the surrounding hills.

There's no actual trail from the lookout, but if you follow the security fence to the left it takes you to a road that runs over the 2 staddle dams and you can follow this road as far as you want. Some potentially good photo locations are fenced off by the water bureaucracy.

Both dams are worth visiting. Also there have been efforts made to remove the traces of heavy construction and I found it fun to look for signs of the construction activity.

I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours here exploring and taking photos.

You'll need water and good footwear as the gravel can be slippery. Also, there is very little shade unless you want to go off-trail to look for it, so a good shade hat is recommended.

The nearest toilets are down at the reserve near the start of the trail.