Mountain Mine and Views of Sierra Buttes

Views of Sierra Buttes from the Mountain Mine access road are extraordinary. Granitic spires reaching from a forested and brush covered base to the tiny lookout atop this geologic landmark equal or exceed the manmade ones in the most reverent of our cathedrals. After the trail cuts through a rocky ridge that to that point has mostly hidden the mountain, the first vista, for me, was breathtaking. And not because of the steady walk uphill. For the next mile, I used most of my digital photo card highlighting pictures with dozens of different foregrounds to frame the panoramas.

Views of Sierra Buttes from the Mountain Mine access road are extraordinary.

 

...steel rails were used to hold the roadbed up and a short piece has caved until only hikers or two wheeled vehicles can safely navigate past that spot.

 

DESCRIPTION:

2.5 miles, moderate, elevations 5750’-6760’ steady but modest gradient, 1½ hours.

Hand-placed, stacked rock walls holds up the roadway especially as it rounds the knife ridge and cuts through the rocky backbone of the crest. At one point, alongside sheer cliffs, steel rails were used to hold the roadbed up and a short piece has caved until only hikers or two wheeled vehicles can safely navigate past that spot. Only 100 feet beyond there, the roadway/trail rounds the ridge through a slot cut through the rock, and views of Sierra Buttes dominate the vistas ahead. Soon the massive mountain fills the camera screen.

Stone rockworks, and the natural folds of rock that make the mountain are equally eye-catching. Only a few juniper and pines lie along the road as it approaches the old mine site.

The main road ends at a massive chunk of solid white quartz. From there a dozer trail switchbacks a few hundred feet above and then drops down the other side to patented mining claims. No mining apparatus remains near the end of the road, and there is little reason to climb beyond there.

The access road/trail, especially for the first 3/4 mile and final 3/4 mile, offers little shade and can be hot. There are nice views northeast to Haskell Peak hillsides and up Highway 49 including the suburbs of Bassetts. The far south views stretch across Haypress Creek as far as English Mountain and even Mount Lola plus a peek at the upper ramparts of Castle Peak.

This trail location can be – and I recommend it – with Volcano Lake to make a great outing even better.

Directions: Access is via Gold Lake Road (S620). This scenic drive follows an excellent road from Highway 49 at Bassetts on the south continuing north to Highway 89 south of Graeagle. The road is not kept open winter; check in the spring and early winter for availability. From Bassetts or from Graeagle, approaches are equally good.

Drive north 1.4 miles from Bassetts on Gold Lake Road turn left (west) on Packer Lake Road and continue 0.3 mile to the “Y.” Left fork goes to Sardine Lake and right goes to Packer Lake and Saddle.

Access to this trail begins a few feet southeast of the “Y” junction. Follow the old road signed “Dead End Road 622-1” south. At the ford crossing of Sardine Creek, the road is signed “Vehicle Use Not Recommended.” Within a quarter mile, there are a couple of places to park: one just off the paved Packer Lake Road and another just before the old road crosses Sardine Creek. In the spring, the little creek will be deep enough you’ll probably want to cross it on the dead snag that crosses the stream just above the road.

The old road continues to the Mountain Mine another 1.4 miles beyond the Volcano Lake (unsigned) road/trail junction.

DIRECTIONS:

To Mountain Mine and Views of Sierra Buttes

Until we can update our form for directions, they are listed above under Descriptions.

ACTIVITIES:

Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Exceptional)

Difficulty: Moderate Time: 1-2 hours one-way

This is a single destination that exceeds expectations. If you’ve done Sierra Buttes from several approaches, including climbing it, don’t miss this perspective. If you haven’t climbed to the peak, you’ll be inspired to do it soon. If you’ve already climbed to the top, you’ll say “Wow, I was up there!”

This is an outstanding picture taking opportunity. No little picture can do justice, but the real challenge is to capture the feeling, not just the awesome view.

Within the Lakes Basin, the only view more satisfying is the one from lakeside at Lower Sardine Lake and the Lodge. Preferably, toasting the view with a glass of wine. Now that’s wilderness!

NEARBY LOCATIONS:

Campgrounds

Communities

Lakes

Trails

Winter