From here, you can continue up the Sierra Buttes Trail (12E06) to the ridge, or ride back down the singletrack, or make a loop by going down the Tamarack Lakes jeep road to the paved Packer Lake Rd, taking a right, and cruising back to the car. The majestic Sierra Buttes, towering 5,000 feet, shelter the town, acting as buffers against cold winter winds and intense summer heat. The Sierra Buttes stand tall above everything else in the lakes basin. However, with the aid of the steel staircases an… We will be able to ride the old PCT PCT Realignment in the Sierra Buttes- Mtbr.com We have also branched out helping trail user organizations in South Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz, the Sacramento valley and the Sierra foothills with CA State Parks. I … Sierra Buttes Trail, located near Portola, California is a 6.6 mile hiking and off-highway drives trail with a top elevation of 7700 feet. The large, sunny front deck is on the creek and a short walk to the waterfall. Images of the buttes look like a screensaver or something from The Sound of Music. Swimming isn’t allowed here as not to disturb the fishermen. You can actually get pretty close with a strong 4x4 with good clearance. Sierra Buttes is north of Hwy 80, more or less between Grass Valley and Truckee, rising dramatically above the town of Sierra City. There is nothing higher north until Lassen Peak and south until Mount Lola. The Artist — Rich Reid For the past 20 years, Reid has specialized in travel, environmental, and adventure photography while working with numerous nonprofit organizations preserving lands and cultural sites. This is a moderate loop trail to Sierra Buttes in Tahoe National Forest. The new PCT in the Sierra Buttes is simply fantastic. Hiking information for Sierra Buttes Lookout via Tamarack Lakes Trail, Lake Tahoe, CA, Tahoe National Forest - photos, maps, directions and more. This is exciting. THE SIERRA BUTTES Part 2: TRAILS to YOUNG AMERICA LAKE and MOUNTAIN MINE Sardine House was the residence of the ditch tender who kept an eye on the ditch from Lower Sardine Lake to the Sierra Buttes Mine. Lower Sardine Lake is best for fishing. Our non-profit, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, has numerous trail projects located throughout Plumas and Sierra Counties, and Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe National Forests. Hiking Sierra Buttes. In 1886 the owners of the Young America Mine completed a … The hike to Tamarack Lakes provides an opportunity to get off the beaten path in the popular Rock Creek drainage. On Graeagle Creek, this cabin hosts a king bed and loft with a double mattress (bring sleeping bags!). When you're done exploring, turn around for a fun and steep descent to Tamarack Lakes, but watch out for downed trees. The Sierra Buttes loom over Lower Sardine Lake Sardine Lake is the gem of the Sierra Buttes, and probably the most picturesque lake there, as its situated directly under the looming buttes and has blue water that competes with Tahoe in clarity. Sierra Buttes is the dominant peak in the Lakes Basin area of northern Sierra Nevada. The longer one via Tamarack Lake has almost 2,400 feet of gain straight up in just 3 1/2 miles. An out-of-date sign details some history and geology of the area: Modern measurements place this this peak at 8594' ⇔ After watching a trio of burly gentlemen inching their way down the stairs, it is my turn. There are … It is a craggy peak of volcanic origin, with lots of spectacular pinnacles on top. The trail descends the other side of the ridge to Tamarack Lakes. Tamarack Lakes, Rock Creek, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. Experienced hikes will find in fairly moderate in difficulty. 395 Guide 6,673 views. The northernmost granitic outcropping in the Sierra Nevada, the Buttes provide a dramatic backdrop to the Lakes Basin with its 100 glaciated lakes and ponds. When you watch the video you’ll see a few scenes of a new section of the PCT that winds through a beautiful alpine basin below the Sierra Buttes near the Tamarack Lakes. From Tamarack Lakes, you can descend the jeep road to the paved Packer Lakes Road that goes up to … The upper lake will provide a beautiful location for PCT users to refill water and camp for the night. ... total 12 miles, or from Tamarack Lakes Trailhead – less than 8 miles total, or shorter one – from PCT. Vehicle access to the upper lake will be blocked, providing a newly quiet place to visit. It turned out to be a good adventure, but no view of Sierra Buttes. Fishing in Sierra County. In the Lakes Basin, spend a little time walking in to Saxsonia Lake for nice Rainbows and Brookies. The summit pinnacle is about 100 feet high and slightly overhanging, on top of which is a fire lookout hut perched precariously, with exhilarating exposure. For a few years, this hike has been on my “to do” list, but I had not been up to the Tahoe / Sierra County area to do it. And a longer way – the more scenic. At 8,857 feet in elevation, Sierra Buttes is the tallest peak in the Lakes Basin region, and offers a fantastic day hike excursion. The hike gains a far amount of elevation near the top and could be difficult for the novice hike. Just got an e-mail looks like we will no longer be able to ride the Deer Lake & Tamarack trails soon. Sierra City, with its easy access to the North Yuba River, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Lakes Basin, is just the right base for further exploration. And we got lucky with a sunny, bug-free day. PCTA has hired ACE trail crews to support the work and supervise their volunteers. Tamarack Lakes Trail is a very difficult 4.2 mile trail at an elevation of 5,400 feet. We started from Tamarack Lakes. Sierra Buttes Lookout. 5:28. After 1 1/2 miles, cross the bridge over Salmon Creek and turn left. Peeking westward. The craggy, multi-pinnacled buttes rise sharply above the North Yuba River Canyon lying 4,500 feet below, and stands as a watchful guard over the many serene lakes that dot the Lakes Basin landscape. Western Sierra County offers a variety of fishing experiences. An abundance of campgrounds, picnic sites, and small lakes dot this picturesque area. There are a number of ways to reach the peak, on which fire watch tower sits uncomfortably. This trail goes by Tamarack Lakes and Young America Lake. With the abundance of lakes in the Lake Basin Recreation Area and the many streams and the North Fork of the Yuba River, anglers have many options. $340 for … The Gold Lake Road travels from Hwy 49 beneath the towering Sierra Buttes and heads north to Graeagle. Rising sharply above glacially carved lakes… Posted by Mila Hofman on June 13, 2018 June 12, 2018. This is a pleasant hike to the old Sierra Butte Fire lookout. Maps showing these waypoints are below (wide view of highways, an overview of all trailheads, details of the winter approach on … Lower Sardine Lake and Sierra Buttes from Tamarack Lakes Trail. This trail winds up along the ridge flanking the Lower and Upper Sardine Lakes, it provides a spectacular view of the Sierra Buttes. Twelve miles up Hwy 49, you’ll find another historic town. Saxonia Lake Looking for a short day-hike the kids could manage and that would have a view of Sierra Buttes, Mark chose a hike to Saxonia Lake starting at the Packer Lake trail-head. ... Rock Creek Lake south of Mammoth Lakes, California - Duration: 5:28. Sierra Buttes: There are two trails up the Buttes. We publish the best full-color, shaded-relief topographic maps for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking in Parks, Forests, and Wilderness Areas in California. ... Sardines Lakes (upper and lower) are below you, and Mt Lassen is off in the distance, it is majestic. The new PCT trail alignment will wander past Tamarack Lakes on its way to the Packsaddle Campground where there’s fresh water and good camping. A variety of winter and summer trails can be accessed off the Gold Lakes Road, one of which is a hike to the top of the Sierra Buttes Lookout. The new PCT route travels north of the Sierra Buttes and swings down from the ridge to Tamarack Lakes. Numerous spires provide dramatic views from almost every direction. Tamarack Lake / Sierra Buttes bigler. The skies were covered with grey clouds, and the wind was nasty. The best hike here is the 2,300-foot climb to the Sierra Buttes; the trailhead is located at the end of the access road out of adjacent Packsaddle Campground. This section is part of a 6.5-mile reroute that took the trail away from a dusty road walk. The Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout is an incredible hike in Northern California with amazing views at the top. Take Highway 49 past Sierra City to Bassett’s Station and head north on Gold Lake Road. The Sierra Buttes are a compact massif rising more than 4,500 feet above the North Fork of the Yuba River. The trail traverses a series of low ridges along the south side of a broad valley before climbing the East Fork of Rock Creek to a stark lakes basin in a rugged cirque. A full bathroom and small refrigerator complete this cabin. The Tamarack Lakes are small alpine lakes with accompanying meadows filled with Corn Lilies, Cow Parsnip, Groundsel and many other wildflowers. This is a moderate out and back trail to Sierra Buttes in Tahoe National Forest. Sierra Buttes Trail (12E06) Difficult. The last push to the top of the fire lookout is the hardest part. 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