Sierra Buttes Rescue: Helicopter Lifts Stranded Hikers From Steep Ridge

Three hikers found themselves stranded on a rugged mountainside in Northern California on Sunday, requiring an aerial extraction to reach safety. The group was located on the Sierra Buttes, a peak situated just south of a fire lookout tower near the summit. For the individuals involved, the rescue ended a period of isolation on steep, difficult terrain.

The emergency response was initiated when a Garmin inReach satellite communication device transmitted an SOS signal to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received the alert at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time. This satellite technology allowed the group to request assistance from a remote location where cell service might be unavailable.

Upon receiving the signal, deputies launched a search and rescue operation. They called in the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Mountain Rescue Team and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office’s RAVEN helicopter crew. The RAVEN unit is a specialized air support team that assists multiple jurisdictions in the region.

Once the helicopter crew located the group, a rescue team member was lowered from the aircraft to reach the hikers. The three individuals were then hoisted from the slope and transported to a designated landing zone. Sierra County deputies were present at the landing site to receive the group.

The sheriff’s office stated that a helicopter hoist was necessary due to the hazardous location and difficult terrain. The agency acknowledged the professionalism and coordination of the teams involved in the operation. Officials did not specify how the hikers became stranded or if any injuries were sustained during the ordeal.

The Sierra Buttes rise above the North Yuba River canyon. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the mountain stands at approximately 8,600 feet. The recent rescue follows two other high-profile mountain incidents in the area earlier in the month. Last week, a 39-year-old man from Florida was hospitalized after falling through a snow bridge on the Whitney Glacier. Earlier in the month, a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from Salt Lake City were rescued from Mount Shasta after being trapped between cliffs for 36 hours.