The morning after my 18 mile trail run, I went out with my headlamp on and caught my horse Shorty. He was not too keen on the idea of this bobbing light sneaking up on him but I got him saddled and loaded before the sun rose. I promised him I wouldn’t ask him to do anything I wouldn’t do. (I didn’t tell him about the 18 mile trail race the day before though)
We were headed to the Sutter Buttes, near Yuba City and Colusa. We would be riding along with the Colusa County Sheriff’s Posse
The Sutter Buttes are a small circular complex of eroded volcanic lava domes. South Butte, reaches about 2,130 feet above sea level. They are named for John Sutter, who received a large land grant from the Mexican government. The Sutter Buttes also hold the title of being the world’s smallest mountain range since they occupy an area only approximately 10 miles from North to South.
Since most of the Buttes is privately owned we were fortunate to be invited to take part in this ride. We would be riding out from a local diversified cattle and farming operation, but we met at a wide spot in the road to convoy to the site together.
We made the drive to Colusa in a little under 3 hours with 3 horses in the trailer. We gathered at the Stottlemeyer ranch and rode through some great cattle country before having lunch next to a pretty lake at the foot of some rocky spires.
Along the way we saw some old hog wallows but no fresh rooting. Here are some photos along the way:
Joe Goss on Jimmy, Colby Martin on Mokie and Paul Martin on TJ.
The Redbuds were blooming where we stopped for lunch. folks tied and picketed horses while we ate.
If you look close you can see a cave in the rocks above.
Joe Goss , Jimmy, Shorty and I on the trail.
Some riders on the ridge overlooking Live Oak and Gridley
