Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust

The Sutter Buttes look so inviting from a distance. What a disappointment that you can’t actually go inside. The entire buttes are fenced in by private owners and all you can do is drive around it in a big circle. It seems natural beauty like that should be open to the public. I read that there are special hikes you can sign up for but that’s for fit hikers, not for the average nature lover who just want to enjoy the views and enjoy the great outdoors.

Wonderful hike today on Brockman Canyon. First time on the Buttes, long time on my list. Guide Joe with assistance from Stan and Julie were very knowledgable and led a great trip. The canyon was so diverse and views were great. Hiking the Buttes is a Must Do

Thanks to a resourceful fellow, last weekend’s hike was recorded with a spy cam.
I need to get me one of those.

This is a great foundation that has numerous outings in the Sutter Buttes.
Just taking a drive around the Buttes does zero justice to how beautiful this small mountain range is. The guides were full of information and could answer about any question you asked. If you like hiking i would highly recommend this foundation to be your guide. This hike was amazing!

The Middle Mountain Foundation organizes a number of outings, and we’ve been wanting to take advantage of one for years. Finally, we went on an outing this month to the Sutter Buttes led by a bat researcher. The operation was well-​run from start to finish. The volunteer guides were friendly, helpful, and informative both on a scenic hike out near the Buttes and back at «camp.» After nightfall, the researcher and his assistants caught several bats. He then measured, weighed, and identified them. His presentations both at the Buttes and at the county museum, where we met prior to heading for the hills, were excellent – thoroughly engaging as well as enlighteningl. We were not bat enthusiasts – we just wanted to see the Buttes. But we enjoyed and appreciated what we learned, and we will return to this magnificent setting for another hike next season.

I went with the Middle Mtn Foundation to hike the Sutter Buttes twice now. The Sutter Buttes are in Yuba City, on private land so you have to hike with the Middle Mtn Foundation. They are called the smallest mountain range in the world.
First time was Ridge Trek — Bragg Canyon (3 boots). It was just ok. The leader didn’t plan on doing a tough hike, but since we paid $ 45 we want our money’s worth. She ended up taking us though.
My 2^nd time with them was Summit Ascent — North Butte (4 boots, $ 35pp) at 1827 ft. Hikes start at 8am meeting at the local museum. There is bathrooms inside the museum. It’s a 2hr45min drive from Fremont to Yuba City — got up EARLY. We then carpooled to the trailhead. They have tons of gates so it takes 30 min from the Museum to the Trailhead. One pit toilet after parking.
Hike was really short in terms of mileage maybe 3miles total, but it took all day to do. From 9:15am to 3pm with lots of stopping & listening to the guide — we had Hank. They need to scout the hike so as not to get us lost, there is no trail, but they should put out flags so they know the route. It’s steep, & dirt & leaves make it slippery and can be dangerous. We were lucky enough to go to the top after someone else found a way up. On the way back to the cars we got to see Ringtail Cats being released — that was cool.
If you want to hike the Buttes sign up, pay in advance, & go.
Website here:

The Sutter Buttes, aka the Middle Mountain range, are that odd little cluster of peaks you see rising up from the Central Valley north of Sacramento. If you’re like me, you passed them in the distance while zipping along I-​5 numerous times before figuring out what they are.
The area is on private land, so the only (legal) way in is via the Middle Mountain Foundation’s guided hikes. Treks are offered on weekend days between October and April at a cost of $ 35 – 55 per person. The more popular routes sell out weeks in advance.
One downside of having to book a hike well in advance is that you can’t predict the weather at these times of the year. You might pay your money and make your plans, only to find out that the weather’s cold and crummy on your day. Too bad for you.
I was not impressed by our guides. They weren’t very understanding of the fact that people in the group took uphill grades at different speeds. They blazed ahead with the fastest hikers and then made long stops waiting for the slower folks to catch up. This created two problems. First, the slower folks missed out on most of the lessons. Second, the rushing followed by long breaks in chilly weather meant overheating followed by being cold followed by overheating again, etc. When traveling with guides like this I expect them to pace us better and be more inclusive of all the group’s members.

middle mountain foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the sutter buttes in the central valley near yuba city. they also lead some amazing hikes through the area, which is great since the buttes are currently almost entirely privately owned and you need special permits to access the land. middle mountain offers a variety of hikes of variable length and difficulty every spring and fall. we just went on the summit hike, which leads you to the top of the north butte (the south butte is taller but not accessible to the public or the foundation).
the buttes are amazing and mike, our guide, and the two backup guides were incredibly knowledgeable, patient and overall fun. it’s evident they love the «smallest mountain range in the world.» the hikes leave early from yuba city and take most of the day but that is mostly because you stop often to talk about geology, local flora and fauna, and the general history of the area. we did get about 45 minutes to roam around the summit on our own but otherwise it is very much a group activity.
the groups are small and the hikes fill up quickly so plan ahead and definitely make it a point to get out here. the hikes cost a fair bit (at least $ 35 and sometimes more) but middle mountain is a nonprofit organization and the access to the privately-​owned buttes is worth that price alone.