Star Butte
Peak · 6,692 ft · North Sierra corridor
Star Butte is a 6,692-foot peak in the North Sierra corridor east of Lake Almanor. Wind-exposed and snow-laden through spring, it demands avalanche awareness and careful timing.
Star Butte faces northwest and funnels wind off the higher ridges above. Morning calm persists until mid-morning; afternoon gusts are routine. Snowpack lingers into late spring on the north face; stability varies with recent thaw cycles.
Over the last month, Star Butte averaged a NoGo Score of 35 with temperatures near 38 degrees and winds averaging 9 mph, though gusts have reached 23 mph. The week ahead looks similar to the rolling baseline. Check the 30-day trend below to spot recent wind spikes and temperature shifts that signal snowpack instability.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Star Butte
Star Butte sits in the North Sierra corridor on the eastern flank of the Lake Almanor basin, at 6,692 feet. Access is via Highway 89 heading north from the Westwood area or from Chester. The peak lies roughly 10 to 15 minutes of hiking above the ridge saddle at the end of Forest Service roads. Winter and spring approaches cross steep north-facing slopes prone to wind-slab formation, especially after storms when the SAC avalanche center upgrades instability ratings. Parking is roadside; bring a detailed map or GPS. Cell service is unreliable at the summit.
Star Butte's weather is dominated by continental air masses pushing over the crest from the Great Basin. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks significant afternoon acceleration; 23 mph peaks are common in spring when pressure gradients steepen. Temperatures average 38 degrees over the last month but swing from 26 degrees in deep winter to 55 degrees in late summer. Snowpack persists into late spring; melt cycles in April and May create unstable layers of wet slab on the north and northeast faces. Crowding averages low (5.0) except on holiday weekends and just after Highway 89 reopens to full access.
Star Butte suits winter climbers and spring snowshoers with avalanche training and beacon discipline. The peak is not a beginner destination. Experienced parties use it as a training ground for high-Sierra cornicing and slope assessment. The exposed ridgeline makes it unsuitable for high wind; skip days when gusts exceed 15 mph. Afternoon descent during active melt can trigger sloughs; plan a dawn start and off-slope by mid-afternoon. Bring water; no reliable sources above the saddle. Traction devices are essential from late fall through May.
Nearby alternatives include peaks north along the Caribou Wilderness crest, which tend to be calmer and lower-angled but require longer approach hikes. To the south, Lassen Volcanic National Park summits like Brokeoff Mountain offer similar elevation and comparable wind exposure but with more defined trail infrastructure. The Lake Almanor basin itself provides lower-elevation bailout options if afternoon conditions deteriorate. Consult the SAC avalanche forecast before any winter or spring visit; Star Butte's north-facing terrain is consistently on the watchlist.