Gold Butte Day of Exploration & Adventure

Come spend the day with us as we explore one of Nevada's newest national monuments!  If you have not been to Gold Butte, then you are missing out.  During this full day of adventure, we will meet at the Speedy Mark at 0700.  This is where we will gas up, get grub, etc.  There is little or no cell phone reception in and around Gold Butte, no services, etc., so plan accordingly.  

The Plan

From the meeting place, we will travel to Gold Butte.

First Stop: The Falling Man petroglyph trail.  This will involve some hiking and a little rock scrambling.  You will be amazed at the amount of rock art displayed on the walls.

Second Stop: Whitney Pocket.  Here you will explore a small damn and cistern built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as some interesting rock formations.

Third Stop: The 7 Keyhole Canyon.  This unique series of keyholes cut into the rock will stimulate your imagination.  The keyholes are large enough for adults to walk through them.  You can just imagine the ceremonies that Native Americans must have had here.

Fourth Stop: Little Finland, aka The Hobgoblin's Playground.  This area boasts rock formations not seen anywhere else in the southwest.  It's easy to imagine you are walking on a distant planet in this  otherworldly place

Fifth Stop: The Devils Throat.  [Time Permitting]  Devils Throat is an interesting, if somewhat disconcerting, geological feature where the roof of a large cave collapsed in 1907 or 1908, leaving a huge sinkhole in the middle of the open desert.

What You Need

Vehicle: 4x4 high-clearance vehicles are required.  Most of the driving in and around Gold Butte will be on dirt roads.  Make sure you have a good spare tire and plenty of gas.  

Food & Water: There is nothing out there until you bring it.  So, bring plenty of food, water, snacks, etc.

Clothing: We are leaving early in the morning to beat the heat.  The Falling Man Trail requires some hiking (not more than 3 miles), the rest of the day is spent driving to locations and then walking around exploring them.  So, check the weather.  It can be cool in the morning and possibly very warm by midday.  Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. should be considered.

Safety

Be alert, be aware, and don't become a statistic!

This time of year the snakes will start to become active, so watch your step.

The person leading this event is not a professional or paid guide.  He's just someone who has spent a lot of time in Gold Butte and knows his way around (and still keeps a map handy).

Feel free to bring any desert survival gear that you feel might be helpful.  

The roads can get pretty bumpy at times, so if you have back or spinal issues, this might not be the event for you.