HOT SPRINGS PEAK (7,680') AND SIERRA BUTTES (8,587') May 3-4, 1980

Seeking to check out the Skedaddle Mountains east of Susanville, CA, I gained two hikers for this trip. Leaving work Friday afternoon, I motored east on Interstate 80, with my two carpoolers, through Reno, NV, and then onto U.S. 395 North.

A highway rest area served as our late night carcamp, and I enjoyed a nice sunrise over Honey Lake. Probably getting a restaurant breakfast somewhere, we came to the base of the mountain, and with my maps, figured out a good way to go. I sure saved us a lot of gain with my hatchback, and choosing a spot to leave the car and start the hike, we did so at a later hour in the morning.

There were blooms ongoing, with sights to see already. It was class 1 hiking with lots of rocks and brush. The two hikers followed, and we bagged all three of the main bumps, the highest being the last and furthest that we came to. There was a bare leaved aspen grove, and more rocks.

I began to capture the views, and I had one picture of me, somehow. Thunderheads were building up over the distant Sierra, although no threat to us. I checked for ticks, with plenty of wild horses and other animals surely about.

Heading back down, we came to my car, and I wished to check the supposed hot spring near the bottom, next to Honey Lake. Running into homes, signed private property, we left. I am not a big hot springs fan, anyway.

I took us to Eagle Lake in the Sierra to camp. We watched a nighttime lightning storm, and I managed to photograph the flashes, by some time exposures.

Sunday, we had to get home, and all I could think of to bag was Sierra Buttes. One hiker didn't like snow, so we left him to wait. The other hiker had his ice ax, so could climb the peak. I got a photo of him in a semi-mountaineering shot, with the tower and top in the background.

Recalling a nice dinner in Nevada City/Grass Valley, we made it home safely, and I had my pictures and did my recon. I suppose that I wrote some letter to the USFS about wilderness designation, as urged on by the enviro groups that wanted this area considered. It is mostly open space, with some views from the top, but only a few hikers would be interested. I liked this little jaunt, but was never to return, ever.

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