Sierra Buttes Trail
Well, you can put a city girl in the country….during winter…but sometimes you can’t shake the city out of her…
Today, I got the brilliant idea to journey over to Sierra City, about an hour north east of Seal Dove Hacienda to take in the magic that is winter at the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout Trail. I mean, who wouldn’t want to climb a bunch of steep stairs in winter to take in nature’s magnificence? This beautiful 5 mile out and back trail has been said to WOW and so close to Seal Dove Hacienda!! I had to go!! It always seems that there is so much time to think and explore in winter as well, so naturally I decided to carpe diem and head to Sierra City!
As I was journing up in elevation, I had the gut wrenching moment where I contemplated, hmmm, if there is this much snow up here, I wonder if those stairs up to the ultimate lookout will be open? The realization that I was going to need to plan b came quickly when I passed snow capped mountain and river after mountain and river — but oh my! The beauty that I could have never anticipated overwhelmed me and I carried on with my journey!
As anticipated, as I neared the entrance to Sierra Butte Fire Lookout Trail, CLOSED for the winter season signs blanketed the entrance to the trailhead. At this point, I was in desperate need of a potty break and coffee so I pit stopped at the adorable Red Moose Cafe right off of Main street. I had the true delight of enjoying a delicious cup of joe and chatting with the team about some alternatives that would still take my breath away. About 15 minutes north of this cafe, up route 49, to the left lies a wonderful trailhead that is open year round. I enjoyed a fairly easy hike up to experience some epic views of the Sierras. While I am sure this trail could have gone on for quite a while, I took in about three miles in and felt like I got exactly what I needed that day— some absolutely incredible views of the mighty Sierra Buttes!
-🧡Dove
