ENLIGHTENMENT Experiences: A Volcanology Hike in the Sutter Buttes

An autumn hike on the lone volcano in California’s Central Valley. Hi, this is Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT salon host. How about an autumn hike through fall foliage on the only volcano in California’s Central Valley? Rain cancelled this hike in April so we’ve rescheduled it! The Sutter Buttes, known as the "world's smallest mountain range," are the remains of a dormant, 1..5 million-year-old volcano, the only one in the great valley. (Unlike most California volcanoes, the Sutter Buttes are geologically related to the Coast Range rather than the Cascade Range.) It’s all private land but the owners open the gates between fall and spring for a few people to go on hikes, led by the education nonprofit Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes. They’ve given me 20 spots for a private hike, and a volcanologist to lead it. Dr. Brian Hausback is a volcanologist who has recently retired from teaching at Sacramento State. He has extensive research history in many active/dormant volcanoes on the West Coast, including the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Baja California, and the Sutter Buttes themselves. Brian will discuss the formation of the Sutter Buttes and how they came to be in their current state, as well as general geology about the surrounding area. Expect to climb some hills up to where we can get a close look at some of the volcanic features Brian will highlight. This will be a full-day experience, covering 4–7 miles with steep, uneven terrain and up to 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Hikers should have hiking boots or at least sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring plenty of water along with lunch for the trail. Recommended items are hats, hiking sticks, rain gear, mosquito repellent, snacks, cameras and binoculars. The cost of the hike is $40 per person; with a two-ticket maximum per order. After you've registered here, I'll email you directly shortly with details on the meeting place and carpooling options.