Black Butte is a very imposing sight on Highway 5 near Mt. Shasta City.
You can see all the way North to Oregon from the Black Butte Summit.
Several years ago, my brother-in-law, Gary McCann told me about Black Butte. Sadly, he passed away in September of 2002. However, I always remembered his comments about the volcano, and my wife and I decided to hike it on May 29, 2003. Thanks Gary. It was a great day! Come along with us and see what this great volcano is all about!
Larry Matthews
Heading up the North side of the volcano in the early part of the hike.
Black Butte juts 6,325 feet straight up. It sits right next to Interstate 5, between the towns of Mount Shasta City and Weed.
Many people have told me that there are those who misidentify Black Butte as Mount Shasta when Mount Shasta is covered by clouds. I find this almost impossible to believe as Mount Shasta towers almost twice as high above the entire valley at the altitude of over 14,000 feet! Black Butte is just a small blip compared to Mount Shasta. (But it doesn't feel that way when you're hiking it!)
Black Butte is approximately 9,500 years old. It is a plug dome volcano in that it was formed by a cluster of placite domes. This is a special type of volcano with stiff and thick lava that does not flow but forms angular blocks of lava that is squeezed out of the volcanic vents that formed it.
The lava does not flow down the mountain, it rolls!
Those traveling along Interstate 5 are usually surprised and impressed by this volcanic butte that rises high above the valley.
It appears to be a very bizarre and almost evil looking vision.
As a matter of fact, the afternoon that my wife and I arrived near Mount Shasta City, Black Butte came into view. My wife said, "What is that!?" I then informed her that this was our destination for the hike the next morning. I will never forget her look of shock when she realized that this spectre that appeared in front of us, and appeared a climbing impossibility, was our destination to climb! She certainly had her doubts about our making it to the top.
Black Butte. Down this "white dirt" road is quite a challenge!
But I did reassure her that our guide book told us that the mountain is much more easily climbed than it appeared! The next day would prove the guide book correct. But it still is a tough hike!
About half way through the way up you will find the crater of the volcano that produced these large lava mounds. This photo is looking West from this area. That's Mount Eddy in the background.
An hour into the hike you have gone up the North side of the volcano and it has looped around toward the West. Then it loops back 90 degrees toward the East. Then you find yourself between the two main parts of the volcano.
The trail continues. Can you see its path across the lava rocks? Not easy is it?
Hiking becomes difficult as you are making your way across vast fields of loose volcanic blocks. In some areas it is rather difficult to find the trail. But you do find the trail and head up toward the steeper part of the hike.
At the summit, the view to the North is tremendous.
Another hour of steep hiking in a long circle up the hill brings you to the relief of the summit.
On our hike we found 6 other hikers at the flat area of the summit. They were all from Nevada City and we had a great visit about our respective towns. We're from Yuba City.
Here is the summit with our friends from Nevada City. Behind them is the spot where the Fire Lookout Building used to sit.
For most of the 20th Century a Fire Lookout Structure stood on this flat area. A dizzying height that must have taken a lot of guts to stay upon. Hope they didn't have to make this trek every day!
Looking East toward Mount Shasta. There is no view to rival it!
While at the summit the 360 degree view is incredible. But what really takes your breath away is the enormous vision of Mount Shasta. She was just full of snow this year - more than a normal supply for May.
On the way back down, you can see just how steep the volcano is.
Some younger people we encountered that day made it up and down in a few hours. But Sharon and I took our time (just about had to!) and we were in and out in about 4 hours. We like to take it slow and enjoy our hikes. This was a wonderful day and we will always remember it. This evil looking pile of volcanic stone is a very fond memory that we will keep forever!
1.HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
Take the Central Mount Shasta Exit from 1-5 and go east through the town of Mount Shasta City for about a mile. Curve left onto Everitt Memorial Highway. Go 2.2 miles and turn left onto the dirt road. Its sign is not very clear but head down the white dirt road. Turn right after 1/10th of a mile, drive 1 mile, then turn 90 degrees and you will see Black Butte straight ahead. Go right, toward the north at a road fork at 3/10th of a mile. After 1.2 miles you turn left at a powerline undercrossing and continue to the turn-about in 7/10th of a mile further. Please do not park in the road but find a place to pull off. It's pretty tight but you can do it. The path is easy to spot at the far end of the turn-about.
2. WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU.
A. Plenty of water (none is available)
B. A camera
C. Good hiking boots - no slippers, tennis shoes, sandals, and certainly no bare feet - hiking boots are needed due to the rough terrain. Remember - we warned you!
D. A good Hat - there is very little shade.
3. WHEN TO GO.
Spring and Fall are the best. In winter you may find 10 feet of snow in your way. But whenever you go, get an early start. On our hike in late May it got pretty hot. We started our hike about 10 A.M. and we still were burning up by the end of our hike in mid afternoon.
4. ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.
Have A GREAT Time!
Please check out all of my High Quality web sites at:
THIS IS A "LARRY WEB SITE".