canyonwalker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
canyonwalker) wrote2021-09-27 05:31 pm
canyonwalker) wrote2021-09-27 05:31 pm
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The View from the Top: Sierra Buttes
Sierra Buttes, Calif - Saturday, 25 Sep 2021. 1pm.
After climbing the metal catwalks and stairways anchored into the rock atop Sierra Buttes I made one final climb: up the stairs of the fire lookout tower itself. The lookout hasn't been staffed for quite some time AFAIK— which is kind of ironic given a) the number of fires burning in California the past few years, and b) the fact it's smoky right now— but the catwalk around the perimeter of the tower is at least open to visitors to climb up for the 360° views.
My favorite view is the one to the northeast, looking over the Sardine Lakes, Upper and Lower. They're in the middle of the picture. That tiny lake off to the right is Volcano Lake. These are just a few of the many lakes dotting this area I call the Gold Lakes Basin. Why gold? Well, the biggest lake in the basin is named Gold Lake. It likely got its name from an era in the late 1800s when gold was discovered in the exposed rock of these spires. At one point there were over a dozen active mining claims on this mountain. I don't think any have been active for 100 years now.
The view to the southeast is fun, too, looking over the tops of the other spires of Sierra Buttes. This is one of the angles where you can really see the extent of smoke in the air.
Smoke is a big factor in the view to the southwest, too. The deep valley here leads down out of the Sierras, past the gold rush town of Downieville. This view is one of those Vertical Mile views: a place where you can see lands differing in elevation by more than a mile (5,280' / 1.6km).
Keep reading: There's more to see on the way down!
After climbing the metal catwalks and stairways anchored into the rock atop Sierra Buttes I made one final climb: up the stairs of the fire lookout tower itself. The lookout hasn't been staffed for quite some time AFAIK— which is kind of ironic given a) the number of fires burning in California the past few years, and b) the fact it's smoky right now— but the catwalk around the perimeter of the tower is at least open to visitors to climb up for the 360° views.
My favorite view is the one to the northeast, looking over the Sardine Lakes, Upper and Lower. They're in the middle of the picture. That tiny lake off to the right is Volcano Lake. These are just a few of the many lakes dotting this area I call the Gold Lakes Basin. Why gold? Well, the biggest lake in the basin is named Gold Lake. It likely got its name from an era in the late 1800s when gold was discovered in the exposed rock of these spires. At one point there were over a dozen active mining claims on this mountain. I don't think any have been active for 100 years now.
The view to the southeast is fun, too, looking over the tops of the other spires of Sierra Buttes. This is one of the angles where you can really see the extent of smoke in the air.
Smoke is a big factor in the view to the southwest, too. The deep valley here leads down out of the Sierras, past the gold rush town of Downieville. This view is one of those Vertical Mile views: a place where you can see lands differing in elevation by more than a mile (5,280' / 1.6km).
Keep reading: There's more to see on the way down!