trexkerry - Dec 31, 2017 8:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2017
Success
TR written by Andrew Kirmse:
From Chester, Google Maps attempted to route us over mysterious roads from state route 36. Reading previous reports, we instead went to state route 32 south and turned left on forest service road 28N12. A sign at the intersection said that the road had no outlet and was a dead end in 15 miles. We drove this road 9 miles to a T intersection and turned right, continuing 1.1 miles to a small parking area on the left. Just past this a new-looking sign read PCT 1.4 miles, Butt Mountain 5.9 miles. The roads are in good condition and could be driven by any passenger car. There was a downed tree across the road just past the trailhead, so perhaps it’s not as well maintained past this point.
It was 36 degrees with a strong wind as we set out. Only a short way in we heard a large cracking sound above us that started me sprinting forward. A big section of a tree trunk crashed to the ground about 25 feet to the left of where I’d been walking. We continued gradually up the north slope of the hill, cold and shaded from the rising sun. We reached the PCT and turned left. This area is just south of the midpoint of the PCT, and some wag had written on one metallic blaze on a tree, “Are we halfway there yet?”, and on the next, “How about now?” After about 3 miles, a sign directed us to a spur trail on the left. This soon emerged above the trees and into a ferocious wind. The trail continued past cairns and over talus to the top. We found a reference mark here, but the benchmark itself is likely buried under the large summit cairn that contained the register.
On the way back we took a short detour over dwarf manzanita to the top of Shanghai Creek Peak, a P300 just off the trail.
cdog - Aug 7, 2015 12:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2015
quiet summer hike
Neat local peak! I've been driving by and looking up for years...it's worth the jaunt to the summit. Amy and I hiked via Carter Creek with the dogs. Had a little rain, but not bad. Didn't see anyone along the way. The summit is rocky and above timberline, offering a nice vista of Almanor basin and Lassen Peak.
Hiked up, camped on the main ridge, and went down the next day. Got to watch the sun set and rise from the summit. I was the first person to sign the summit log in 2011.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
PCT route
Very cold day, but scenic, up the PCT route while spending a weekend driving around northern California.
Matt Worster - Jun 7, 2009 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2009
walk in the clouds
Woke up at the trailhead to light rain so slept in the tent until 8. Rain stopped, we started hiking at 9, but visibility never exceeded 150 ft. Still, pleasant and mellow hike, but a chilly summit. We were back down by 1:30, quicker than I thought it would be.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
A forested approach trail leading to filtered views along the PCT. Good views at the top to Lassen, Lake Almanor and other unfamiliar areas. The view to the west was still largely obscured by wildfire smoke.
trexkerry - Dec 31, 2017 8:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2017
SuccessTR written by Andrew Kirmse:
From Chester, Google Maps attempted to route us over mysterious roads from state route 36. Reading previous reports, we instead went to state route 32 south and turned left on forest service road 28N12. A sign at the intersection said that the road had no outlet and was a dead end in 15 miles. We drove this road 9 miles to a T intersection and turned right, continuing 1.1 miles to a small parking area on the left. Just past this a new-looking sign read PCT 1.4 miles, Butt Mountain 5.9 miles. The roads are in good condition and could be driven by any passenger car. There was a downed tree across the road just past the trailhead, so perhaps it’s not as well maintained past this point.
It was 36 degrees with a strong wind as we set out. Only a short way in we heard a large cracking sound above us that started me sprinting forward. A big section of a tree trunk crashed to the ground about 25 feet to the left of where I’d been walking. We continued gradually up the north slope of the hill, cold and shaded from the rising sun. We reached the PCT and turned left. This area is just south of the midpoint of the PCT, and some wag had written on one metallic blaze on a tree, “Are we halfway there yet?”, and on the next, “How about now?” After about 3 miles, a sign directed us to a spur trail on the left. This soon emerged above the trees and into a ferocious wind. The trail continued past cairns and over talus to the top. We found a reference mark here, but the benchmark itself is likely buried under the large summit cairn that contained the register.
On the way back we took a short detour over dwarf manzanita to the top of Shanghai Creek Peak, a P300 just off the trail.
cdog - Aug 7, 2015 12:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2015
quiet summer hikeNeat local peak! I've been driving by and looking up for years...it's worth the jaunt to the summit. Amy and I hiked via Carter Creek with the dogs. Had a little rain, but not bad. Didn't see anyone along the way. The summit is rocky and above timberline, offering a nice vista of Almanor basin and Lassen Peak.
cwoods17 - Jul 18, 2011 8:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2011
PCT southHiked up, camped on the main ridge, and went down the next day. Got to watch the sun set and rise from the summit. I was the first person to sign the summit log in 2011.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
PCT routeVery cold day, but scenic, up the PCT route while spending a weekend driving around northern California.
Matt Worster - Jun 7, 2009 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2009
walk in the cloudsWoke up at the trailhead to light rain so slept in the tent until 8. Rain stopped, we started hiking at 9, but visibility never exceeded 150 ft. Still, pleasant and mellow hike, but a chilly summit. We were back down by 1:30, quicker than I thought it would be.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Via PCTDayhiked from PCT. Great views to Lassen.
derbilly - Sep 7, 2006 8:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Butt Mt TrailA forested approach trail leading to filtered views along the PCT. Good views at the top to Lassen, Lake Almanor and other unfamiliar areas. The view to the west was still largely obscured by wildfire smoke.
Dennis Poulin - Nov 21, 2005 10:36 pm
Route Climbed: Butt Mountain Trail Date Climbed: 18 Novembe 2005Nice hike, alone on the mountain on a beautiful day.