Photo By: Paula Schulz
The Sutter Buttes, formerly known as the Marysville Buttes, are a small circular complex of eroded volcanic lava domes rising as buttes above the flat plains of the Central Valley just outside Yuba City. The highest peak, South Butte, reaches about 2,130 feet. Named for John Sutter, the world's smallest mountain range features natural diversity seen on nature hikes you can sign up for an enjoy through a nonprofit organization, The Middle Mountain Foundation. The Maidu lived in their shadow for thousands of years, calling them Esto Yamani, which means "the Middle Mountain".
For
prices and registration to these hikes
that accept a limited number of
participants, see middlemountain.org.
THE MIDDLE MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION HIKES -
Held on select weekends, the guided
hikes allow you access to private lands
through the organization's
pre-arrangements with owners. Those who
have gone say they are spectacular.