Hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout | Gold Lake Highway

When we first laid eyes on the Sierra Buttes and spotted the lookout tower, we had no idea how accessible hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout would be! Once we got to the Gold Lake Highway area we were in completely unfamiliar territory and we had never even heard of the Sierra Buttes. But once we saw the dramatic towering mountains for the first time, we knew we had to see more! And hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout was the perfect opportunity.

Surprisingly, the road to get to the trailhead is paved and the distance from the trailhead is a mere 5 mile hike! From below, we never would have dreamed that we could hike along and to the top of such beautiful formations with such ease. Once we did though, the views that we were rewarded with from hiking to Sierra Butte Lookout were seriously incredible!

Hiking to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout Tower Video

Quick Info: Hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout

Distance: About 5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Directions: Click here to get directions to Sierra Buttes Lookout Trailhead

Elevation: 7,031 feet at the trailhead to 8,587 feet at the lookout tower

sierra buttes trailhead in tahoe national forest

Our Experience Hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout

Since the summer days have been getting so warm, most of our hikes have revolved around water. So to avoid hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout in the heat we decided to attempt to watch the sunrise from the lookout tower. Neither of us are ever up before the sun is so we had no idea what time the sun actually rose. And we had no service to get a quick answer from Google. So we decided to get up at 4 am and head out! (Waking up was definitely the hardest part of this adventure haha)

As we were driving we noticed the sky gradually getting lighter and lighter. We reached the trailhead around 4:40 and we were surprised to see about 5 other vehicles parked there already. Since the sky was starting to lighten up already, we were rushing to make it to the top before the sun peaked over the mountaintops. Walking steeply uphill as fast as we could at 5 in the morning was a new experience for us!

The wide trail began as a continuous climb with some steep sections. In the early light we could see wildflowers lining the trail. The trail was exposed for a bit so we could keep an eye on the suns progress but we could tell it wouldn’t be long. And we didn’t want to be away from the ridge in the woods when the sun made its appearance. So we accepted that there was no way we were going to reach the lookout in time and chose an open area on the ridge to watch the sunrise from. We could see the dramatic mountainside and the lookout above as well as several beautiful lakes down below.

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Before long, the bright and vivid orange came shining up over the ridge in the distance. The incredible vast view, gorgeous colorful sunrise and artfully clouded sky made for an unforgettable sunrise experience! What a moment!

Now that the sun was up we no longer had to rush as we continued hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout. And the area was beautiful already. Not only were the views over the ledge of the surrounding area amazing but the mix of huge boulders and large trees along the trail was a treat as well!

After more winding and climbing the trail crosses the PCT and eventually reaches an area that looks OHV accessible. We continued climbing from here catching great views from the exposed curves in the trail.

Finally we reached the dramatic, massive boulders and their sheer rock faces that beckoned us from thousands of feet below. With amazing panoramic views all around us we continued on until we reached the stairway to the tower.

steep flights of stairs to fire lookout tower

Climbing Up to the Lookout Tower

The stairs were metal and had metal railings on both sides so they felt nice and sturdy. But every once in awhile I got butterflies in my stomach (words for those who are in denial about their vertigo). As you climb the stairs you can see the rocks below getting further and further as well as the scenery and features around you getting steeper and higher. Luckily there are only like 150 stairs.

walking up the stairs to the sierra buttes fire lookout tower

After ascending the staircases we made it to the lookout tower! And we were the only people there. We thought for sure the other cars at the trailhead were hikers who planned a bit better than us and were at the top of the lookout for the sunset.

Back to my butterflies… the tower was raised above the rocks that it’s built onto. And the floor was made of metal grate – aka see through! I managed to talk myself through it and convince myself that I was safe and comfortable. Then I was able to look out and see the magnificent reward of hiking to Sierra Buttes lookout!

view from the top of sierra buttes lookout tower

There aren’t really words for the beauty that surrounded us so I’ll let the pictures do the talking here.

vast views from hiking to sierra buttes lookout tower

steep view from sierra buttes lookout tower

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After a while of taking in the sights, we sat down with the trail box and read through some of the check ins and added to it. While we were up here we met one other hiker but besides that we had the trail and the lookout tower to ourselves! Then it was time to descend the stairs and make the hike back down.

Since we started hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout before dawn the way down revealed its own beauty to us. The trees, cool boulders, captivating vast vistas, and colorful wildflowers made descending the trail a treat as well! Once we made it back to the parking area, the day was just beginning but we were already thinking about a nap.

tall trees on the hike up to sierra buttes lookout tower

Hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout was an amazing experience. Watching the sunrise over such a breathtaking landscape was incredible. And pushing through my unexpected vertigo was a nice challenge.

vast views and cool rocks while hiking in tahoe national forest

Shane staying awake until we got back home was a feat in itself! And the views… incredible.

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trail in to woods hiking to sierra buttes lookout tower

We hope you enjoyed our article about hiking to Sierra Buttes Lookout! If you’d like to see some other beautiful hikes, feel free to check out the links below:

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