PCT between Packer Lake Road and the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail
Trail photos
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Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.81 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,250 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 1,250 ft
- Max elevation
- 7,361 ft
- TrailRank
- 34
- Min elevation
- 6,093 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 5 hours 23 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1625
- Uploaded
- July 5, 2022
- Recorded
- July 2022
near Bassetts, California (United States)
Viewed 91 times, downloaded 1 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The PCT between Packer Lake Road and the junction with the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail has been rerouted, trading the crest of the ridge for the Tamarack Lakes. On the return trip we finished the circumnavigation of the Tamarack Lakes, visited a viewpoint on the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail and took some of the many alternate trails in the area. The PCT is a good quality, well maintained trail with lots of awesome views of the surrounding ridges, some easy stream crossings and two pretty lakes. The lakes are big enough to swim in and were given a positive review by the swimmer in our group. The trails / road around lower Tamarack Lake are obvious. Getting the rest of the way around upper Tamarack Lake required a few sections of easy bushwhacking. Tree cover varies between open and shaded. The PCT has more switchbacks than the other trails and I think it is prettier than the alternative 4x4 road going to Tamarack Lakes from road 621.
Bikes and motorized vehicles are not welcome on the PCT, but critters are.
Older maps, including Google, don’t show this new route. There are trail signs or tree placards at every junction that might fool you. The PCT to Deer Lake has also been rerouted to match, starting on the other side of Packer Lake Road.
There is wide spot parking along Packer Lake Road just past the subtly marked trail crossing.. Packsaddle Campground located just before the trail crossing has bathrooms. Google knows how to find it because it hasn’t moved. No fees. The roads are paved the whole way.
Bikes and motorized vehicles are not welcome on the PCT, but critters are.
Older maps, including Google, don’t show this new route. There are trail signs or tree placards at every junction that might fool you. The PCT to Deer Lake has also been rerouted to match, starting on the other side of Packer Lake Road.
There is wide spot parking along Packer Lake Road just past the subtly marked trail crossing.. Packsaddle Campground located just before the trail crossing has bathrooms. Google knows how to find it because it hasn’t moved. No fees. The roads are paved the whole way.
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