Black Butte 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.
Dogs on leash
Hiking
Nature trips
Forest
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
Rocky
Scramble
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.
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, 2020
July 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 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 25, 2020June 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.
June 13, 2020Heads up the trailhead and Siri are way off on getting here.. the trail head is where umy track starts.. great day. No view at top due to whiteout.. a few exposed sections but awesome
June 9, 2020Beautiful hike! I was pleasantly surprised by this trail. The views are amazing! The trail was in great shape. A little hard on the knees coming down.
June 7, 2020This should be rated as moderate. My grandpa Frank Melo was the fire chief of Mount Shasta for over four decades and helped built the fire lookout tower at the summit which is now a foundation
June 7, 2020Beautiful hike and nice consistent grade (never got too steep). But the last mile or more is really rocky. Tough on the knees. We also got caught in a hail storm and low 30’s... in June. Lol
May 27, 2020Beautiful views, trees, and flowers. There is shade in the beginning but goes away as the trail turns very rocky. Be prepared to rough up those boots! So worth it
May 27, 2020This is one of the beautiful hikes I’ve ever been to. Hard to find the parking area but if you have all trails app then you will definitely find it. The hike was a bit tough as you go up it keeps going at an incline. Not too bad! Lots of loose rocks so watch your steps. Definitely worth it! The view is amazing at the top!
