R.E.Johnson 1967 Journal 15 May 30 Sierra Buttes area, Sierra Co., California I drove to Lower Sardine Lake last night in order to scout out the climb of the Sierra Buttes. The road was open to both Upper & Lower Sardine Lakes since it follows the sunny north side of the canyon bottom. The slope above the road is nearly solid manzanita & is snow free. The opposite (north facing) side of the canyon is timbered & deep in snow. The Buttes are like giant ice cream cones dripping with an excess of luscious frostings (snow). I decided to drive to Upper Sardine Lake & hike straight up the south facing slope (snow free) to the ridge top. On this part of the slope there are rock outcrops, mine dumps, & an old mine road which allow easy passage through the manzanita. On the ridge top, I hiked west to ragged cliffs, which prevented rapid progress, so I descended to Young America Lake, then back up to the ridge top west of the crags & hiked south to The Buttes. At Lower Sardina Lake I heard a Great Horned Owl and saw Steller Jays, Robins, Wood Pewees, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Fox Sparrows, & Green-tailed Towhees. Canyon Wrens were heard in cliffs above (no. of) Young America Lake and also on the east facing cliffs of the main Butte below the Lookout Tower.