Sierra Buttes Lookout

Closed for the season! See you next year!

Poor winter in the sierras meant we had a clear run up to the parking area that meets up with the trail. Further up there was some snow drifts that would prevent driving further and no good turn arounds. Did this in my 2020 2wd Ranger with a locker and BFG AT tires. Without low range, take your time going down and be easy on your brakes. Awesome views and a fun drive. It’s good to have something like Gaia GPS map downloaded in advance, cell coverage can be little to none.

Excellent trip! Trail isn’t to difficult, but scenic!. At the end of the trail is a 3/4 mile hike to the fire lookout station. This is not for the faint hearted. The views are spectacular and well worth it. Overall, this trip is an amazing one!

Very good trail, but we couldn't get to the top because there is still a 10 ft snow bank blocking the trail after a certain point. We got about 1-1.5 miles from the top (not much farther past vlad's #8 waypoint) and had to turn back, but we took Butcher Ranch Road down (turn right at waypoint 8 to sierra city) and it was F****** awesome. There's only room enough for 1 car (no exceptions) for a few miles of the trail, so I consider us lucky, but it was amazing. I highly recommend looking into it, and I will be back here to get to Sierra Buttes North. There are also TONS of trails to explore. This area is a very popular mountain biking spot, as well as quads and dirt bikes so be on the lookout. Vlad's assessment is correct, some of the trails are very steep, so if it's slick, make sure you have the right tires or you might actually slide off the trail and plummet 100's of feet to your death. That is not an exaggeration. Also, the towns along 49 are great, we stopped in Downieville for a bite and it was poppin'. Very good time. Video attached is of the trail going down to Sierra City. Tight trail, some small rock slide spots.