Overview In an often neglected area, with a class 3 peak few people are aware of, the Black Buttes are seen by millions of travelers, enroute along Interstate 80, as the three high crags on the ridgeline seen northward from the vicinity of Yuba Gap. Between Auburn, and Truckee, California, it does take some getting there, and the hike is too much for many regular hikers. It lies in a beautiful area, urged saved by many local conservationists. Included on the Tahoe OGUL peak list, it offers a navigation problem, and a challenging hike, to its top. There is not much significance to this peak, except that it has a nice view, and appears to have considerable prominence. Only starting with English Mountain to the north, the Castle Peak area to the east, and Tinker Knob/Granite Chief to the southeast, does the surrounding terrain exceed its lower elevation.
Snow seekers will usually find some under the north side of the crags, and although there is no glacier per say, snowfields lasting into late summer offer a play op for campers and hikers near Glacier Lake.
Getting ThereFor more exact directions, please visit the PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS website and click Northern Sierra Peaks Guide. Please review the disclaimer and explanations, clicking agreed and understood, when you finish.
Otherwise briefly, there are at least two ways to get to the top. One is a rough, rocky road, NF 14, to the trailhead along this Grouse Ridge Road. The other is a long hike from the Eagle Lakes Road along the Interstate.
1) Exit Interstate 80 at CA 20, "Nevada City" just east of Yuba Gap. Go 4 miles northwest to the paved Bowman Lake Road, and turn right. This paved road soon crosses over the South Fork of the Yuba River, with a interesting view down to this scenic creek. Continue some 6 miles to the Grouse Ridge Road. Going right (east) on this rough, rocky, USFS byway, signed NF 14, go 5.5 miles to its eastward end at the signed trailhead. There's primitive parking for maybe 30 cars.
Follow the trail eastward from the Grouse Ridge Road TH, with a mapboard and sign, there. Descend past three trail junctions, taking rights, all with signs (Sept. 2006) pointing the way to Glacier Lake. Head then for Glacier Lake, which lies at the bottom of several gullies that head up for the peaks. Clamber up the talus to the steep, loose, rubbly chute to the immediate left of the highest and sharpest crag. Then turn right (west) and climb the short, 15' class 3 headwall to the top.
2) The second route starts at the Eagle Lakes Trailhead along Interstate 80. Follow the route to Fordyce Creek, which requires very good navigation by map, and cross the hiker's bridge, here. Follow the trail to Beyers Lake. The peak is obvious, to the north. Clamber through brush and talus to the ridgetop, then climb the short class 3 cliff to the ENE of the top of the highest crag.Red TapeThe area is run by the Tahoe National Forest, and no permits, aside from campfire permits if you wish to make a wood or gas fire, are needed. This is not a wilderness area.CampingPrimitive camping may be found along the trails, and especially at scenic Glacier Lake.
There's a small, primitive, campground along the Grouse Ridge Road just west of the trailhead, with a facility. See the Tahoe National Forest map for other nearby, numerous campgrounds.External LinksNorthern Sierra Peaks Guide
Tahoe National Forest Images
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