Sierra Buttes

Last updated
Sierra Buttes
Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout.jpg
Northeast aspect. Lookout visible at summit.
Highest point
Elevation 8,591 ft (2,619 m) [1] [2]
Prominence 1,870 ft (570 m) [3]
Parent peak Peak 8740 [4]
Isolation 17.81 mi (28.66 km) [4]
Listing Sierra Peaks Section
Coordinates 39°35′37″N120°38′49″W / 39.5935382°N 120.6470451°W / 39.5935382; -120.6470451 Coordinates: 39°35′37″N120°38′49″W / 39.5935382°N 120.6470451°W / 39.5935382; -120.6470451 [5]
Geography
Relief map of California.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Sierra Buttes
Location in California
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Sierra Buttes
Sierra Buttes (the United States)
Location Sierra County, California, U.S.
Parent range Sierra Nevada [3]
Topo map USGS Sierra City
Geology
Age of rock Devonian
Type of rock Metavolcanic rock
Climbing
Easiest route Hiking trail + stairs

Sierra Buttes is an 8,591-foot-elevation (2,619-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Sierra County, California, United States. [5] It is the third-highest point in Sierra County following the north ridge of Mount Lola and Peak 8740. Sierra Buttes are set on land managed by Tahoe National Forest and are within the North Yuba River watershed. The summit is situated two miles (3.2 km) north of Sierra City, and approximately 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Sacramento. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises nearly 4,700 feet (1,400 meters) above the Yuba–Donner Scenic Byway in approximately two miles. The prominent fortress-like landform is visible from as far as the Sacramento Valley, [6] and inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest. This landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, [5] and has been in use since at least 1896 when published by the Sierra Club. [7]

Contents

Lookout

A fire lookout tower that was originally built in 1915 tops the highest point on Sierra Buttes. In 1964, employees of the National Forest Service erected metal stairs with railings for the public to safely access the views from the lookout. The hike to the lookout is one of the most popular destinations in the northern Sierra region. [8] The Sierra Buttes trail is 2.3 miles long, gains 1,587 feet of elevation, and one mile of it is shared with the Pacific Crest Trail. [9] In good weather, Lassen Peak can be seen from the lookout, 65 miles to the northwest, as well as Mount Shasta 150 miles distant. Sierra Valley can be seen to the east.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Sierra Buttes is located in an alpine climate zone. [10] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

Geology

The Sierra Buttes are composed of metavolcanic rock, predominantly andesitic hydroclastic breccia and peperite which intruded the Sierra Buttes Formation. [11] The rock is part of the Northern Sierra Terrane and was formed in an undersea volcanic process along an island arc during the late Devonian period. Gold nuggets were discovered at mines surrounding the Sierra Buttes during the California Gold Rush, the largest of which weighed 106 pounds was uncovered in 1869. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Baldwin (California)</span>

Mount Baldwin is a 12,614-foot-elevation (3,845-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is four miles north of Red and White Mountain, and approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The nearest higher neighbor is Red Slate Mountain, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south-southwest. Baldwin ranks as the 257th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,775 feet above McGee Canyon in 1.5 mile. The first ascent of the summit was made July 2, 1928, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pointless Peak</span>

Pointless Peak, elevation 12,256 feet (3,736 m), is a mountain summit located in Inyo County of northern California, United States. Set one-half mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the peak is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It rises at the northern end of Little Lakes Valley, and is immediately west of Rock Creek Lake. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,550 feet above this lake in approximately one mile (1.6 km). Neighbors include Mount Starr, 2.5 miles to the south, and line parent Mount Huntington, 1.4 mile to the northwest. This landform is also known as "Mono Mesa", but neither name is official and it will remain unofficial so long as the USGS policy of not adopting new toponyms in designated wilderness areas remains in effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graveyard Peak</span>

Graveyard Peak is an 11,539-foot-elevation (3,517 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. Graveyard Peak ranks as the 535th-highest summit in California, and topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises over 2,300 feet above Devils Bathtub in approximately one mile. It is two miles southeast of Silver Peak, five miles north of Lake Thomas A Edison, and approximately 13 miles (21 km) south of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The peak is set on Silver Divide, so precipitation runoff from the north side of this mountain drains into Fish Creek which is a tributary of the San Joaquin River, and from the south slope to Lake Thomas A Edison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Julius Caesar</span>

Mount Julius Caesar is a 13,213-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on the boundary that Sierra National Forest shares with Inyo National Forest, and along the common border shared by Fresno County with Inyo County. It is one mile southwest of line parent Bear Creek Spire, and 22 miles (35 km) west of the community of Bishop. Italy Pass is one-half mile immediately south of the summit, and Granite Park lies to the southeast. Mount Julius Caesar ranks as the 106th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,000 feet above Lake Italy in 0.7 miles (1.1 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicks Peak</span>

Dicks Peak is a 9,974-foot-elevation (3,040 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is the third-highest peak in the Desolation Wilderness, and is set on land managed by Eldorado National Forest. It is situated six miles (9.7 km) south of Lake Tahoe, and approximately eight miles (13 km) west of the community of South Lake Tahoe. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 2,300 feet above Rockbound Valley in approximately one mile. One-half mile east of the peak the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail traverse Dicks Pass, which provides an approach option for those climbing the peak. Inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Lewis (California)</span>

Mount Lewis is a 12,350-foot-elevation mountain summit located along the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Mono County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. The summit lies less than one mile outside of Yosemite National Park's eastern boundary, and some of the lower western slope lies within the park. The mountain rises 1.8 mile (2.9 km) southeast of Mono Pass, 1.5 mile (2.4 km) northeast of Parker Pass, and two miles north of Parker Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 5,200 feet (1,585 meters) above Grant Lake in four miles which makes the mountain visible from Highway 395.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fletcher Peak</span> Mountain in Yosemite National Park

Fletcher Peak is an 11,410-foot-elevation (3,478 meter) mountain summit located in Yosemite National Park, in Mariposa County, California, United States. It is situated south of Tuolumne Meadows in the Cathedral Range which is a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The mountain rises one mile (1.6 km) south of Tuolumne Pass, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) northeast of proximate parent Vogelsang Peak and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) northwest of line parent Parsons Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,250 feet above Fletcher Lake in 0.38 miles (0.61 km). Precipitation runoff from this landform drains south to the Merced River via Fletcher Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawksbeak Peak</span>

Hawksbeak Peak is a mountain summit with an elevation of 11,134 feet (3,394 m) located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in northern California, United States. The granitic summit is situated on the common boundary shared by Yosemite National Park with Hoover Wilderness, as well as the common border of Mono County and Tuolumne County. This remote peak is set at the head of Thompson Canyon, approximately eight miles west of Twin Lakes and 17 miles southwest of Bridgeport, the nearest town. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 1,300 feet in less than one-quarter mile. The class 5.10- West Face was first climbed in September 1989 by Alan Swanson and John Nye. This landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevens Peak (California)</span>

Stevens Peak is a 10,059-foot-elevation (3,066 meter) mountain summit located in Alpine County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephants Back</span>

Elephants Back is a 9,585-foot-elevation (2,922 meter) mountain summit located in Alpine County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawkins Peak (California)</span>

Hawkins Peak is a 10,024-foot-elevation (3,055 meter) mountain summit located in Alpine County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donner Peak</span>

Donner Peak is an 8,019-foot-elevation (2,444 meter) summit in Placer County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Lincoln (California)</span>

Mount Lincoln is an 8,383-foot-elevation (2,555 meter) mountain summit in Placer County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Judah</span>

Mount Judah is an 8,243-foot-elevation (2,512 meter) mountain summit in Placer County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sawmill Point</span>

Sawmill Point is a 9,429-foot-elevation (2,874 meter) mountain summit located in Inyo County, California. It is situated 2.6 miles east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is also 10.5 miles (16.9 km) northwest of the community of Independence, and 2.6 miles (4.2 km) east of proximate parent Colosseum Mountain. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,770 feet above Owens Valley in two miles. The Sawmill Pass Trail traverses the east and south slopes of the peak, providing an approach option, and access to the John Muir Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jobs Sister</span>

Jobs Sister is a mountain summit located near Lake Tahoe in northern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamarack Peak</span>

Tamarack Peak is a 9,897-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Knob Peak</span>

Rose Knob Peak is a 9,710-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin Peaks (Placer County, California)</span>

Twin Peaks is an 8,878-foot-elevation (2,706 meter) double summit mountain in Placer County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granite Dome (Tuolumne County, California)</span>

Granite Dome is a 10,320-foot-elevation (3,146 meter) mountain summit located in Tuolumne County, California, United States.

References

  1. ↑ Cheryl Angelina Koehler (2007), Touring the Sierra Nevada, University of Nevada Press, ISBN   9780874177176
  2. ↑ United States Geological Survey topographical map - Sierra City
  3. 1 2 "Sierra Buttes, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  4. 1 2 "Sierra Buttes, North - 8,591' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sierra Buttes". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  6. ↑ John Elliott (2021), On the Trail: Sacramento Valley and Surrounding Mountains, Page Publishing, ISBN   9781684568673
  7. ↑ Sierra Club Bulletin, Volume 1, 1896, p. 13
  8. ↑ Peter Massey, Jeanne Wilson, Angela Titus (2006), California Trails Northern Sierra Region, Adler Publishing Company, ISBN   9781930193239, p. 193
  9. ↑ Matt Johanson (2019), Sierra Summits: A Guide to Fifty Peak Experiences in California's Range of Light, Falcon Guides, ISBN   9781493036455, p. 25
  10. ↑ "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica .
  11. ↑ David R. Lageson, Mary M. Lahren, Stephen George Peters (2000), Great Basin and Sierra Nevada, Geological Society of America, p. 274
  12. ↑ Monumental Nugget, Sierra County Historical Society
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.