Lakes Basin Recreation Area
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Sierra Buttes Lookout Lakes Basin Recreation Area |
August 10, 2014
I haven't been on top of the Sierra Buttes in forty years; this seems like a good day for a rematch.
Sierra Buttes from the Gold Lake Highway
When I did this hike previously with my late wife, the climb was about 2,400 feet; now one is able to drive all but the last mile. Because I am here for some exercise, however, I will start at a popular parking area about a third of the way up the mountain.
The access road is paved
A sign advertises access to the Pacific Crest Trail
The trail starts out at a mild gradient. Within five minutes, I decide to stash my walking stick behind a log.
It's easy going so far
About a mile into the walk, I cross the PCT. The signposts are poorly marked, but continuing toward the peak is the obvious choice.
The PCT heads downward to the right
A group of hikers is resting at trailside. One of the men offers me the remainder of his orange "to sustain me", and it does provide a couple of juicy bites.
The trail becomes steeper, and prettier
Storm clouds are moving in. I am prepared for a little weather; yet so far, the lighting is not conducive to good photographs. I must do what I can, though.
First view of the lookout
Young American Lake is 700 feet below
Accessing that lake would be an enterprising off-trail venture
What's this? Another parking lot? I knew that.
I've climbed 800 feet to get here, but that's okay
This trail is busier than expected. The gradient is increasing; but up to now, only one pair of hikers has outpaced me and my several rest stops.
The anticipation mounts
Lower Sardine Lake is way down there
Around the next corner, the summit block suddenly appears. A sizable group is watching others on the metal stairway.
Sierra Buttes Lookout
Peeking westward
An out-of-date sign details some history and geology of the area: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.
This is exciting
I count 159 steel stairs, plus a few stone steps. At the top,
there is of course a 360-degree vista from the tower's catwalk.
Looking southeast
Sardine Lakes are 2,600 feet below
There are but three other humans up here at the moment
The aluminum lookout building appears to have been unmanned for quite a while; for all equipment and accommodations have been removed. When I last was up here, the ranger was absent; but I was able to poke a finger through a hole in the siding and play with the little white kitten inside.
The bigger picture to the northeast
The resident panhandler
On a clear day you can see Mount Shasta in the north
The other guys have departed, leaving me alone at the summit to munch some gorp and contemplate my existence. A few raindrops have fallen, and there have been some thunderclaps; but the big black could is moving on. This is good.
Inexplicably, the storm is moving toward the west
A couple at the base of the stairs will monitor my descent.
This is rather fun
A farewell look back
The sun finally is out
Starting down
Only a few flowers remain this late in the season.
Pussy Paws
Sulfur Buckwheat
Yes, the lighting is much better now:
Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes
Two hikers in the center of the photo are enjoying the scenery
I didn't even notice these two guys on the way up:
Tamarack Lakes
Last view of the lookout
The downward trek is dispatched without incident. Only half a dozen hikers and a few dogs have followed me up the trail.
As I retrieve my walking stick, I hear loud music emanating from the direction of the trailhead. It seems that quite a party is in progress, with tents and chairs and picnic paraphernalia all over the place. This explains the high volume of traffic on the trail.
After being treated to a big margarita, I am off to Reno, where a free suite awaits me at Harrah's en route to a special event at Tahoe tomorrow.
Approaching the trailhead
§: Despite a moderate elevation gain, the very friendly trail makes
this climb pretty easy. Although there is no exposure, certain acrophobic
visitors might take issue with the metal stairway; but if one can ignore the fact
that some sections are hanging above the rocks, there should not be a problem.
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| Solitude |  |
