A different kind of adventure await those seeking a fun challenge. Join hike leaders Jim Boone and Frank Golden on this over night loop hike at the northeastern edge of Gold Butte National Monument. It is over night yes, but, think of it as two separate day-hikes back to back. How is this possible? We will coordinate a vehicle to carry your bedding/ tent/ additional food and water / and other supplies to meet us at the camp. All you’ll need to carry with you are the essentials to sustain you for that day’s hike (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket, gloves, water, lunch, snacks, etc).

I categorize this hike as strenuous for distance and elevation. The entire trip is about 12.5 miles long with a little over 3,000 feet elevation climb and descent. The trail is entirely on dirt roads with good footing. The clockwise direction of travel allows us to take advantage of the more gentle slopes going up. Trekking poles will help. Sturdy boots with ankle support are recommended.

At the beginning of day 1, we will meet at the Friend of Gold Butte’s Office to drop off your additional supplies and camping gear to be delivered. Please place them in a trash bag so it doesn’t get dusty riding in the back of a truck. We will then carpool/ convoy to the start point at the northeast entrance to the monument on Cabin Canyon Road. Cabin Canyon road was recently graded but is still pretty rough in places. A high clearance AWD is recommended as a minimum.

The first day’s hike challenges us with an initial 2,300 foot climb in 4 miles. This may seem exhausting but the slope is gradual and we will take numerous breaks. This stretch from the monument’s entrance to the high point at Cabin Canyon Spur is the most difficult part, so we will get it out of the way first. After this initial effort, the trail is generally down hill for the rest of the hike. From the Spur, we continue along the contour of the ridge westward to the Radio Tower, descending 800 feet in 2.5 miles. I must add here that the view of Virgin Peak from the Radio Tower is spectacular! The third stretch from the radio tower to our camp site drops 1300 feet in 1.5 miles.

We will camp near the corral 1.5 miles east of Nickle Creek. A vehicle will bring our supplies and the gear you dropped off earlier at the office. Hikers are responsible for preparing their own meals. If conditions allow, we will have a campfire and tell ghost stories and maybe a sing along or two….. maybe not. The next morning, the vehicle will return the gear back to the office where you may claim it at the conclusion of the hike. Those who are unable to continue the hike, may ride back with the truck.

Day 2 is the easier day with about 800 feet intermittent elevation gains and descents over a 5 miles stretch. This section passes along the valley that lies between Bunkerville Ridge and Cabin Canyon “ridge” on Hen Springs Road which is the official northern boundary of the monument. Passing Beer Can Fence, we descend back to the parking lot where we’ll convoy back to the office and reclaim our gear.

We practice Leave No Trace ethics so be prepared to carry out everything you bring in.

If you register for this hike and find you are unable to attend, please be courteous and remove yourself from the “going” list. If you are unable to do this, please email or call to let us know, so someone from the waitlist is able to attend.

Gold Butte National Monument is primitive and has no services of any kind. Event participants must bring and carry their own water, food, sunscreen, basic first-aid items, any medications (e.g., EpiPen or asthma inhalers, etc.) a participant may need, and any other supplies they may want or need while participating in the event. Participants must wear appropriate footwear for the event (for example, for trash-clean-up events, sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots would be appropriate). Participants are strongly encouraged to wear broad-brimmed hats and dress in weather-appropriate clothing when participating outdoors. Participants are reminded to be plant and animal aware at all times. Finally, if the event necessitates, participants are strongly encouraged to provide their medical information (pre-existing conditions, medications, etc.) and their Emergency Contact information (name and phone number) on a card or piece of paper in a sealed envelope with their name on the outside. The volunteer organizer will collect and hold the envelopes during the event and return them, unopened, at the conclusion of the event if they are not needed; and the assumption of risk statement found at In-person Assumption of Risk