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Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout
Hiking Trail
Hard
4.61 mi
1,633 ft
Steep but well-traveled trail to the imposing summit of Sierra Buttes, and an airy platform on a historic fire tower.
The mountain called Sierra Buttes is a stand-out landmark near Downieville, California. This cliff-lined peak is the tallest in the area, and it’s crowned with multiple craggy pinnacles. Atop one of these granite outcrops is a fire lookout tower, dated but still sturdy, that grants a royal view for those who ascend all the way to it.
The hike begins at Sierra Buttes Trailhead, and follows the Pacific Crest Trail for a little while before the path to the lookout branches off. It’s a wide and well-traveled trail, but steep the whole way. It traces the main ridgeline of the mountain through meadows and scattered trees. Eventually, the vertical cliffs near the top of the mountain come into view, and you can glimpse some blue lakes in the forested basin below. Continue up steepening switchbacks to go around the backside of some dramatic cliffs. You’ll then reach a metal staircase, which scales the final 150 feet up a rock face to the tower. The interior of the lookout is closed, but the outside platform is accessible and safely guarded with a handrail. It’s an airy perch with phenomenal views.
On a clear day with no smoke in the air, you can easily see 100 miles in all directions. The panorama includes mountains around Lake Tahoe and Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Even if the horizon is hazy, you can enjoy the view into the Yuba River Valley and gaze at the Sardine Lakes far below.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
The mountain called Sierra Buttes is a stand-out landmark near Downieville, California. This cliff-lined peak is the tallest in the area, and it’s crowned with multiple craggy pinnacles. Atop one of these granite outcrops is a fire lookout tower, dated but still sturdy, that grants a royal view for those who ascend all the way to it.
The hike begins at Sierra Buttes Trailhead, and follows the Pacific Crest Trail for a little while before the path to the lookout branches off. It’s a wide and well-traveled trail, but steep the whole way. It traces the main ridgeline of the mountain through meadows and scattered trees. Eventually, the vertical cliffs near the top of the mountain come into view, and you can glimpse some blue lakes in the forested basin below. Continue up steepening switchbacks to go around the backside of some dramatic cliffs. You’ll then reach a metal staircase, which scales the final 150 feet up a rock face to the tower. The interior of the lookout is closed, but the outside platform is accessible and safely guarded with a handrail. It’s an airy perch with phenomenal views.
On a clear day with no smoke in the air, you can easily see 100 miles in all directions. The panorama includes mountains around Lake Tahoe and Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Even if the horizon is hazy, you can enjoy the view into the Yuba River Valley and gaze at the Sardine Lakes far below.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butcher Ranch Rd Climb | 0.83 mi | 348 ft | 7.8% |
| Sierra Butte Climb | 2.15 mi | 1,558 ft | 13.4% |
| Butcher Ranch Rd Climb | 1.16 mi | 594 ft | 9.6% |
| to the road | 0.29 mi | 279 ft | 18.0% |
| road to tower | 0.35 mi | 341 ft | 18.2% |
| Sierra Butte descent | 2.39 mi | -1,601 ft | -12.3% |