Black Butte [CLOSED] is a 6.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Mount Shasta, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from May until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
As of September 2020, trails in this area are closed due to wildfire. See park page for more information. DANGEROUS CONDITION: The Black Butte Trail is one of the oldest and most well used National Forest trails near Mt Shasta. Unfortunately, because of the severe reduction of trail maintenance funding in the last few years, the trail has become dangerous. There is a short section of trail where a wire basket retaining wall has partially failed and will continue to fail. Part of it has collapsed across the trail, and the remaining part is hanging out over the trail at a sharp angle. If it were to fail while someone was hiking by, there could be tragic results. There is no practical alternate off-trail route because of extensive large boulder fields. Consequently, the Trail Association no longer provides information on how to reach the trail nor details about the trail. We suggest you explore other trails in the area. The Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance (Mountain Runners) is working with the Forest Service to find a solution.
January 2, 2021Climbed Black Butte on 01/01/2021 (New Year’s Day). Pretty easy and straightforward trail. The snow did make it a little tougher since our feet kept on sinking in - our shoes got cold and wet but it wasn’t anything we hadn’t encountered before. There is a section where the retaining wall broke so the rocks are loose there (about 1.5 miles in) but the snow does a pretty good job of keeping it all glued together so it wasn’t a big issue for us - we just walked over it. The trail gets difficult to identify towards the top due to snow cover but just keep on climbing and you’ll reach the summit. We saw two other people coming down the trail but that was about it in terms of crowd factor. The views of Mount Shasta were incredible to say the least, quite a treat for only a 6 mile round trip hike. Don’t forget your camera and take tons of pictures! Feel free to follow my Instagram account for more dope hiking content! @sertanusanmaz
December 23, 2020Thanks for the review below saying it’s not closed and BIG THANKS to the lone trekkers foot prints that made finding the path to the summit easier. 360 panorama views! The path near the summit has unstable rocks, is narrow, and is now in parts covered in ice. Not sure how the trail is without snow but at this time of year with the ice, advanced hikers only. Should probably close for winter.
December 6, 2020Despite what the top of this page says, the trail is OPEN. As of today it is mostly snow free, with just a few patches here and there. I didn't feel the need for any traction devices. Overall the trail is very well maintained. I read that there was a washout that was difficult to bypass, but I didn't encounter anything like that. The views of Shasta from the summit are excellent.
September 5, 2020August 29, 2020Honestly it is dangerous. This is not your usual relaxing and peaceful hike. The trail is mostly rocks, big rocks you’re walking across. There are holes where your foot can get caught and is high probability of tripping and hurting yourself on the bed of rocks you would land on. My ankles and knees were not happy with me. Most of the trail I was concerned for my safety. Not my favorite hike, but the views are beautiful.
August 4, 2020This was a great trail. I am in a OK shape with not too much practice. My daughter at 17 years old the trail was easier but felt the pain in a good way. On the top we enjoyed the 360 view. Not good for dogs or kids as there are a lot of lava rocks and I would say dangerous parts. Leave early to avoid the sun.
July 25, 2020July 23, 2020GPS took me down some crazy goat paths. Instead: Follow the Everitt Memorial Highway (A10) North out of town. Turn left at 41N18 Rd (small brown NFS sign). Follow it as it curves to the right. Take the second left. Follow the road as it curves to the right (it’s the second right). Follow this as it turns to the left. You’ll come upon a big clearing, a wonky 4-way crossroads, this is Wayside 1. Continue on 41N18A (a left leaning “straight ahead”) to get to Wayside 2 and the trailhead. What an epic hike! It makes you work for it. The first 2 miles have sporadic shade, take advantage of these as the last mile to the top is full exposure and considerably more rocky. A couple of gravelly slid-out spots. I wore tennis shoes and was fine but an ankle-supported hiking boot would be recommended especially if you’re prone to rolling ankles or stubbing toes. Only one other hiking couple on the way up (got a late morning start), encountered 2 couples and 2 solo hikers on the way back down in the early afternoon. Enjoy!
July 23, 2020Driving directions don't take you to the trail head. Once the map says youre there, continue about half a mile more up to the sign and trailhead. The trailhead is clearly marked but isn't where the GPS drops you. beautiful view from the top. Definitely hot and not a lot of shade. bring lots of water.
July 18, 2020Very very beautiful and stunning hike. With 360 views. I don't know why is considered as a hard hike. It feel moderate to me. took us about 2 hours with photos and quick lunch at the top
July 11, 2020July 4, 2020the ascent is the easy part , but totally worth all the strenuous hiking, awesome view at the top. some spots are a little tricky , should be fine if you wear good hiking shoes .
July 3, 2020Beautiful day, Beautiful hike! This trail is more moderate for me. So gorgeous
June 28, 2020Very rocky climb, hard on your knees on the way down. On a hot day, you will need a lot of water. We went on a chilly/windy day. Amazing trail and a great view. Worth the hike! Make sure to have good hiking shoes, otherwise it will be tough with all the rocks.
June 27, 2020Rocky. You should wear solid hiking shoes for grip and to absorb the impact from the rocks. Going down was definitely tough on the knees. Definitely stretches without shade, especially near the top, so be prepared for that. Great views at the top!
June 27, 2020Awesome hike! Great views, cool old fire tower at the top. Beware, saw a rattlesnake directly on the trail catching some rays. Trail wasn't as sketchy as the disclaimer on this site makes it sound. I am sure weather can alter that landscape really quickly though..
June 22, 2020The 360 views at the top, especially of Shasta, are unparalleled. The second half of the hike is primarily rock hopping around scree fields— bring sturdy footwear with ankle stability. Very little shade and no water. Trailhead has parking for ~10 cars. Not crowded on a Sunday. Only saw 5 other parties. Beware blindly following Google Maps once you reach the forest roads— stick to the wide gravel roads rather than the narrow dirt ones.
June 19, 2020Beautiful hike, wonderful view of Shasta, great place to eat lunch. There are signs saying it is dangerous but I personally never felt like those rocks were going to move, we just walked very quickly past the ‘sketch’ area. The entire hike is rocks besides the first few 5 minutes, but they’re easy to walk on most of the time.
