01
Iconic summit climb
Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail
Lakes Basin / Gold Lake Highway • Steep Alpine Summit Hike With Big Views • Bucket-List Panorama
A stout climb to a historic fire lookout with far-reaching views over craggy peaks and sapphire lakes.
Starting from the trailhead near Packer Saddle, this route wastes no time gaining elevation as it winds through fir forest and open talus slopes. The final metal staircases to the lookout feel airy but secure, rewarding you with one of the most dramatic vistas in the northern Sierra. Aim for a clear morning and bring layers—the wind at the top can be surprisingly cold even on hot summer days.
02
Classic lakes basin loop
Bear Lakes, Silver Lake & Round Lake Loop
Lakes Basin Recreation Area • Lake-Dotted Loop Through Glaciated Granite • Best Half-Day Circuit
A moderate loop linking multiple alpine lakes, perfect for sampling Lakes Basin scenery in a single outing.
This well-loved loop strings together Bear, Silver, and Round Lakes on a mix of mellow forest paths and open granite benches. Short side paths lead to rock outcrops and swim spots, so plan time to linger along the shorelines. It is easy to follow but still feels wild, making it a strong choice for hikers who want big scenery without committing to a full-day push.
03
Most family-friendly
Frazier Falls Trail
North Of Graeagle Off Gold Lake Highway • Paved Waterfall Path • Best For Families And Strollers
A short, mostly level paved path to a dramatic overlook of cascading Frazier Falls.
Just a short drive up the Gold Lake Highway, this paved out-and-back is an easy win for mixed groups, young kids, and anyone adjusting to the altitude. Benches, railings, and broad pullouts make it feel welcoming, but the waterfall itself is anything but tame when flows are high in late spring and early summer. Go early on weekends if you want the overlook mostly to yourself.
04
Best full-day outing
Jamison Creek Trail to Jamison & Wades Lakes
Graeagle / Plumas-Eureka State Park • Forest-And-Lakes Mountain Trail • Classic All-Day Adventure
A sustained climb along Jamison Creek to a cluster of high-country lakes framed by rocky ridges.
Leaving from near the old mining relics in Plumas-Eureka State Park, the trail follows Jamison Creek before climbing steadily into open meadows and lake basins. Jamison and Wades Lakes both offer boulder outcrops and quiet shoreline pockets that feel far more remote than the drive suggests. Pack a proper lunch and plenty of water—this one is more about settling into the day than ticking off a quick viewpoint.
05
Quiet ridge adventure
Mills Peak Trail
Above Clio And Blairsden • Long Forested Ridge Hike To Fire Lookout • Best For Solitude Seekers
A gradual but sustained ridge hike ending at a fire lookout with sweeping views over the Feather River country.
Mills Peak sees more mountain bikes than foot traffic, but hikers who tackle the trail are rewarded with a steadily unfolding mix of shady forest and big-sky clearings. The lookout at the top sits above a broad panorama of valleys, ridges, and distant volcano silhouettes on clear days. Because the route is longer and less busy than Lakes Basin classics, it is ideal when you want space and a slower pace close to Whitehawk.