Sierra Buttes Lookout
Photos Maps Summary: This is a short and moderately steep hike up to a fire lookout tower with absolutely gorgeous views of the surroundings. Acrophobics be warned, the final climb up the three sets of stairs is very steep and the view through the stairs can give just about anyone wobbly knees. When we did this hike we had a shelter dog with us who did not like being able to see through the stairs and would not go any further than the first set of stairs. B had to carry him up the rest of way and he thanked her by peeing on her on the way up. In reality, it is not that bad, but people who have a slight fear of heights should prepare themselves. Once you conquer this obstacle, you are rewarded with amazing views in every direction. The view of the Sardine Lakes below and the view down the North Yuba River Canyon are the highlights. On clear days you can see into Lassen to the north.Distance: 5.0 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 1,600' totalSeason: mid-June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 39.6115 N, 120.6652 W. From the CA-49/Gold Lake Highway (County Route S620) intersection in Bassetts, follow the Gold Lake Highway for ~1.3 miles (be sure to stop at the Sierra Buttes pullout) and turn left onto Packer Lake Road/County Route 621. Follow this for ~2.9 miles to Packer Lake (stay right at ~0.3 miles). At Packer Lake continue following County Route 621 for ~1.9 miles (stay left at the intersection on top of the ridge), turn left onto Butcher Ranch Road (end of pavement) and follow it for ~0.2 miles to the trailhead parking area off the eastern side of the dirt road. The trail (PCT) starts off the southern side of the parking area.
The Hike: At the trailhead, the lookout tower is visible (as a small structure) to the southeast. The trail, which follows the PCT route, quickly climbs the ridge to the south and reaches a trail junction at ~0.5 miles. Taking the right trail here (the left trail goes down toward the meadow above the Tamarack Lakes before climbing back up to meet the main trail as part of the longer Sierra Buttes trail), the trail continues south along the ridgeline before meeting with the left trail again at ~0.9 miles. Here, are nice views looking down towards the Tamarack Lakes. Continuing south, the trail intersects with a 4WD road at ~1.1 miles. Stay left and begin climbing to the southeast. Another road junction is reached at ~1.7 miles (stay left). The trail skirts the edge of the ridge above Young America Lake before switchbacking up towards the lookout tower. At ~2.4 miles from the trailhead, the trail reaches the bottom of the stairs. The tower is reached ~2.5 miles from the trailhead after climbing the three sets of stairs. This part on the Google Map is a little off when looking with the Terrain turned on, because I marked the trail according to the aerial view, which is not quite correctly laid on top of the terrain. The view from the top of the second set of stairs is really cool as you look down into the North Yuba River Canyon to the west-southwest.
