Beautiful day for a hike at Sierra Buttes. My daughter and I are preparing for a climb of Mt. Whitney later this year and this was a good conditioning hike. Perfect temperature, perfect weather, almost no wind wind. A light breeze to keep you cool. On the way up we only saw a few couples of people. We hung on top for awhile and met some nice people. Great hike.
Nice and easy hike from Packer Saddle, access to that point is easy for a 2WD. The hike up was pleasant, lots o stairs at the end. 3rd of a 3 peak day, after Haskell and Elwell since they are all accessed via Gold Lake Road. TR is HERE.
Took advantage of the exceptional weather and drove up Friday. Out of shape the Buttes kicked my ass! but easy coming down. A few snow fields lost the trail temp. but not a big prob.
seano - May 29, 2014 2:56 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2014
Standard route
Cool-looking peak! It's too bad they put up a lookout and stairs, as it would be a challenge otherwise. Trip report.
A Bit - May 20, 2014 6:33 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2014
Packer Saddle
Plenty of snow still on the trail. The payoff - had the entire place to myself.
WayneFry - Mar 17, 2014 6:04 pm Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2014
Winter Ascent Sardine Lakes
Great winter ascent. Climbed with a team of three from Sardine lakes. Ascended the northeast gully to a point where we traversed into the central gully and worked our way to the top. We discovered a nice short steep chute that tops out right at the base of the staircase. Our descent route was via Young America lake.
labgloves - Mar 18, 2013 10:55 am Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2013
From Sierra City
This peak was done as a loop hike from Sierra City proper (a bit under 14 miles). It was a very enjoyable hike on a spring day. However, this peak is probably more fun in the winter or summer.
Nice hike, quite a few people enjoying the great weather. 4 of us with 3 dogs went up and back in less 4 hours including a 20ish minute break at the top to enjoy the views.
Drove the 4WD road to Tamarack Lakes and hiked from there -- but I wouldn't drive that route again; the road was too rough to be worth it. However I saw others parked within a half-mile of the summit -- apparently there are much easier roads. Spectacular geology at the top -- worth it hiking or driving. The stairs are steep but not nearly as freaky as the cables on Half Dome.
mengbo - May 21, 2012 12:29 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2012
from packer lake
day hike with jean.
BCL - Feb 20, 2012 9:22 am Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2012
From the South
We were able to drive to 6500' making for a reasonable day. The lookout was very cool. We would have liked to to stay longer on top but it was fairly cold due to the wind.
smurfer - Jan 10, 2012 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2011
short and worth it
As you drive up, looking upon the steep eastern side of the Buttes it's hard to imagine how this is a short class 1. Then you gradually drive up and around to the gentle side that yields to a short and pleasant walk to the top. Stairs were really solid and no concerns unless maybe you had bad weather or ice.
ThePete - Jan 9, 2012 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2011
Fun and easy
Fairly gentle using the standard route up, easy to get to, and you drive most of the way to the top. The stairs were fun. We had beautiful weather, so maybe the stairs wouldn't be so nice on a cold/rainy/windy day?
danomike - Dec 20, 2011 4:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2006
Nice fire lookout
Easy hike. Great views.
Katy Y - Aug 13, 2011 9:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
Crowds
Short, accessible hike; as such, lots of people. Great views and cool stuff to see...
BrendanHickey - Aug 9, 2011 12:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2011
Great Summer hike!
Awesome hike from Sardine Lakes campground via the Tamarack Connection trail. Trail was snow-free except for 1 six-foot section. That lookout looks scarier than it really is.
cdog - Jul 18, 2011 9:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2011
nice July hike
Had a nice hike up the Buttes from Packer Saddle. Still quite a few snow banks along the way for this time of year. We timed it good and had the lookout to ourselves, where we enjoyed the great views and got a kick out of how our dogs walked on the deck grating. Definitely the coolest lookout in California!
soslaw - May 7, 2011 8:54 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2011
South Slope
From the south. 3 hours car to car.
wmolland - May 2, 2011 3:59 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2011
Icy Lookout
A fun climb up to the iced up lookout tower from about the 5000 foot level on the road and a wonderful snowboard down the broad bowl from its summit. Awesome peak!
bennovak - Aug 9, 2015 8:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2015
From Packer SaddleShort easy hike with great views and and the most interesting lookout I have come across
rstolting - Jul 18, 2015 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2015
Beautiful DayBeautiful day for a hike at Sierra Buttes. My daughter and I are preparing for a climb of Mt. Whitney later this year and this was a good conditioning hike. Perfect temperature, perfect weather, almost no wind wind. A light breeze to keep you cool. On the way up we only saw a few couples of people. We hung on top for awhile and met some nice people. Great hike.
trexkerry - Jul 4, 2015 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2015
From Packer SaddleNice and easy hike from Packer Saddle, access to that point is easy for a 2WD. The hike up was pleasant, lots o stairs at the end. 3rd of a 3 peak day, after Haskell and Elwell since they are all accessed via Gold Lake Road. TR is HERE.
Noondueler - Apr 19, 2015 7:03 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2015
Packer LakeTook advantage of the exceptional weather and drove up Friday. Out of shape the Buttes kicked my ass! but easy coming down. A few snow fields lost the trail temp. but not a big prob.
seano - May 29, 2014 2:56 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2014
Standard routeCool-looking peak! It's too bad they put up a lookout and stairs, as it would be a challenge otherwise. Trip report.
A Bit - May 20, 2014 6:33 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2014
Packer SaddlePlenty of snow still on the trail. The payoff - had the entire place to myself.
WayneFry - Mar 17, 2014 6:04 pm Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2014
Winter Ascent Sardine LakesGreat winter ascent. Climbed with a team of three from Sardine lakes. Ascended the northeast gully to a point where we traversed into the central gully and worked our way to the top. We discovered a nice short steep chute that tops out right at the base of the staircase. Our descent route was via Young America lake.
labgloves - Mar 18, 2013 10:55 am Date Climbed: Mar 16, 2013
From Sierra CityThis peak was done as a loop hike from Sierra City proper (a bit under 14 miles). It was a very enjoyable hike on a spring day. However, this peak is probably more fun in the winter or summer.
shaggyp - Sep 24, 2012 12:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2012
From Packer SaddleNice hike, quite a few people enjoying the great weather. 4 of us with 3 dogs went up and back in less 4 hours including a 20ish minute break at the top to enjoy the views.
LincolnB - Jul 24, 2012 8:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2012
Tamarack LakesDrove the 4WD road to Tamarack Lakes and hiked from there -- but I wouldn't drive that route again; the road was too rough to be worth it. However I saw others parked within a half-mile of the summit -- apparently there are much easier roads. Spectacular geology at the top -- worth it hiking or driving. The stairs are steep but not nearly as freaky as the cables on Half Dome.
mengbo - May 21, 2012 12:29 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2012
from packer lakeday hike with jean.
BCL - Feb 20, 2012 9:22 am Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2012
From the SouthWe were able to drive to 6500' making for a reasonable day. The lookout was very cool. We would have liked to to stay longer on top but it was fairly cold due to the wind.
smurfer - Jan 10, 2012 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2011
short and worth itAs you drive up, looking upon the steep eastern side of the Buttes it's hard to imagine how this is a short class 1. Then you gradually drive up and around to the gentle side that yields to a short and pleasant walk to the top. Stairs were really solid and no concerns unless maybe you had bad weather or ice.
ThePete - Jan 9, 2012 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2011
Fun and easyFairly gentle using the standard route up, easy to get to, and you drive most of the way to the top. The stairs were fun. We had beautiful weather, so maybe the stairs wouldn't be so nice on a cold/rainy/windy day?
danomike - Dec 20, 2011 4:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2006
Nice fire lookoutEasy hike. Great views.
Katy Y - Aug 13, 2011 9:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
CrowdsShort, accessible hike; as such, lots of people. Great views and cool stuff to see...
BrendanHickey - Aug 9, 2011 12:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2011
Great Summer hike!Awesome hike from Sardine Lakes campground via the Tamarack Connection trail. Trail was snow-free except for 1 six-foot section. That lookout looks scarier than it really is.
cdog - Jul 18, 2011 9:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2011
nice July hikeHad a nice hike up the Buttes from Packer Saddle. Still quite a few snow banks along the way for this time of year. We timed it good and had the lookout to ourselves, where we enjoyed the great views and got a kick out of how our dogs walked on the deck grating. Definitely the coolest lookout in California!
soslaw - May 7, 2011 8:54 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2011
South SlopeFrom the south. 3 hours car to car.
wmolland - May 2, 2011 3:59 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2011
Icy LookoutA fun climb up to the iced up lookout tower from about the 5000 foot level on the road and a wonderful snowboard down the broad bowl from its summit. Awesome peak!