2. Ham Radio

Sierra Buttes (W6/NS-139) SOTA Activation 9/20/2012

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Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes as seen from the deck along the tower's east side.
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Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes as seen from the deck along the tower's east side.

  • The Sierra Buttes as seen from the west. The lookout tower is perched atop solid rock. This photo was taken last summer during an ATV ride to the buttes via a different and easier route than I took today.
  • For people with normal vehicles, the easiest route to Sierra Buttes is to travel Gold Lake Highway north from Highway 49, take the Packer Lake turnoff, and drive up the paved road to the Pacific Crest Trail junction that is about 1/4 mile past Packer Lake Saddle (highlighted in yellow). The hike from there has an elevation gain of approximately 1500 vertical feet. Pacific Crest Trail does not go up to the summit but a side trail does. Another option (what most hikers do) is to start at Packer Lake itself for a scenic hike covering about 2300 vertical feet.
  • Since I have a 700cc 4x4 ATV rather than a normal vehicle, I rode up the jeep trail from Sierra City (blue line followed by red). Sierra City is a small town along Highway 49. I parked at the locked gate below the summit (anchor symbol on the map) so my hike only covered about 440 vertical feet. This jeep trail is best done in a narrow, high-clearance 4x4 vehicle or a dirt bike. Another option for less-rugged vehicles, high clearance 2WD should be enough, would be to take the paved road up to Packer Lake Saddle, turn onto the road shown in blue near the PCT junction, and drive to the waypoint I have marked C551SB4X4_1821VF. The hike up the dusty 4x4 trail from that point would climb around 1800 vertical feet.
  • Zoomed in topo map shot that better shows the topography.
  • Part of the Sierra Buttes as seen from the 4x4 trail that climbs steeply from Sierra City (my route today). The zig-zag trail on the hillside is Pacific Crest Trail making switchbacks up from the Yuba River canyon. PCT doesn't go to the summit and actually passes by approximately 1000 feet below it. Sorry about the spot on the lens.
  • Approximately 440 vertical feet below the summit the road is gated. Vehicles aren't allowed to proceed any further.
  • I parked my Yamaha Grizzly 700 down below the gate and started my hike.
  • Beyond the gate, the road switchbacks its way up the rocky slope.
  • A nice view along the hike up.
  • A steep stairway takes you the last 100 vertical feet (approximately) to the summit. Since the SOTA activation zone is only 80 feet deep, operating from the safer and more expansive ground where I am standing is not an option.
  • Sign next to the base of the stairs.
  • Thanks guys! Without the stairs you would need mountain climbing skills and equipment to get to the summit. That's way above my pay grade.
  • Looking back down the main set of stairs from the top.
  • The old lookout tower as seen from the top of the main set of stairs. Sorry about the finger in the shot.
  • Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes as seen from the deck along the tower's east side.
  • Another shot of the lakes and <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/SOTA-Activation-10192012">Haskell Peak (W6/NS-162)</a> back behind them.
  • There is limited space on the summit to setup antennas. Directly below the deck is a sheer cliff to the east. The flowers attached to the base of the tower are part of a memorial for a young lady that I assume fell to her death from this spot.
  • The memorial.
  • The memorial. May God rest her soul.
  • It is a LONG way down if you were to fall. There are still patches of snow down in the canyon, even though these pictures were taken on September 20th and we had an exceptionally dry winter.
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