Day 85 - The Sierra Buttes Fire Tower

July 19
Day 85
Miles:  11
Total Miles:  1208

Jubel arrived in Sierra City today at about noon.  After he resupplied with food from the general store we accepted a ride from the Red Moose Inn owner to the trail, and then headed north up to the Sierra Buttes - a series of jagged crags overlooking Sierra City and upper and lower Sardine Lakes and surrounding valleys.  This was a steep hike but it soon revealed some beautiful views.

We moved quickly for several miles up to where the PCT crossed a fire road.  Here we met up with Magellan and Pebbles and climbed with them, off trail, up the OHV road another 1,500 feet to a fire lookout tower at an elevation of 8,587 ft.  The Sierra Buttes fire tower was built in the 1960's and from it's metal grated deck you can see 360 degree views of the neighboring lakes and valleys.  The clouds, which began accumulating in Sierra City, were now spreading out over the hills and enhancing the amazing views from the tower.  The inside of the tower itself is not open for hikers, but looking inside the glass from the metal grated walkway shows an unkept, disheveled room that has been abandoned for years as more modern technology (satellite technology) has replaced the use of these towers.  Below the main lookout room is another room that we guessed houses a bunk room, but not windows revealed the inside.  

View from the railing to the base of the stairs

Jubel on the Fire Tower

Stairs leading to the fire tower

Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes

The winds on the tower got heavy and cold as we descended and headed back to the PCT.  We hiked on several more miles and camped with Fall Risk at a nice lookout spot with a beautiful view of the sun setting on the Sierra Buttes peak we had summited just a few hours earlier.

View of the Sierra Buttes and the Fire Tower at the peak