Hello fellow wanderers!
Do you love hiking as much as we do?? Fresh air. Clear the mind. Beautiful scenery. Check out our latest hike of the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout on our YouTube channel Wandered Off.
This hike was part of our Rim to Rim training for our backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon (check these videos out on YouTube also). Sierra Buttes was a moderate to hard 5 miles round trip with an elevation gain just under 1,600 feet in the 2.5 miles up to the lookout. We did this hike in early June 2021 and needed layers. The sun was warm but the wind was cold (and the wind was relentless at the top).
This trailhead is about an hour NW of Reno, Nevada in California. It is part of the Tahoe National Forest which is one of our favorite forests to explore and hike! The road is mostly paved leading to the trailhead but if you have an ATV/UTV you can take a dirt road to the top just before the switchbacks start up to the fire lookout and this probably takes almost 2 miles off of your hike one way.
But if you do decide to hike it, you will not be disappointed. This trail overlooks the Sardine Lakes and they are beautiful. Once you arrive to the trail just above the lakes, take a look up and to the right, you will get a glimpse of the fire lookout up on the top of the mountain.
Once you get past the lake overlook, the incline starts to get steep. You eventually hit steep switchbacks that get you up to the fire lookout and then you have steps that take you up to the structure that was built in the early 1900s. The stairs were built in the 1960s to make it safe for visitors. If you are afraid of heights, this hike is not for you. But you get to the top, the views are epic and so worth the climb!
Did I mention the stairs! Oh... and that wind! Hold on to your hat!
But seriously though.... those VIEWS! The Fire Lookout stands just over 8,500 feet in elevation!
Watch our video for more of the hike and views! Search YouTube for Wandered Off or click the link on our website. Please don't forget to like and subscribe. We truly appreciate your support!
Thanks so much for hiking around the Sierras with us!
Wandered Off
Chris & Brandi
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