Join Jim Boone for a driving and walking tour of Gold Butte looking at the patterns of vegetation on the landscape. With the dry year we’ve had there may not be many flowers, but we can still identify and learn about the various plants. We will drive along Gold Butte road, stopping in various places to take short walks into the desert exploring the vegetation. Be sure to bring your plant/flower identification books if you have them.

Depending on time and conditions, we will either stay on the paved road or venture up the unpaved Arizona Road, which usually is suitable for regular cars, to visit higher and cooler elevations. We will only need regular cars. Because of Covid-19 we are currently not offering carpooling. Only those arriving at the Meetup together will be allowed to travel in the same vehicle.

Friends of Gold Butte hikes are free and open to the public. For all hikes, please wear sturdy shoes; comfortable, breathable clothes; and a hat. Don’t forget to bring water, lunch, and sunscreen. You will need to wear a mask when in close proximity of others. Social distancing protocol will be followed. There are no stores or facilities in Gold Butte; be prepared to pee in the bushes. If you register for this activity and find that you are unable to attend, please give at least 48 hours notice. We understand that there are emergencies, but we generally have a waitlist and it is only courteous to allow those waiting to make arrangements to attend if you cannot.

Jim Boone is an ecologist and author of birdandhike.com, a website about birding and hiking around Las Vegas, with information about what people will see out on the land. He has extensive knowledge of the Gold Butte area.