PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE RESCHEDULED HIKE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RAINED OUT
Explore the red rocks at the head waters of Mud Wash. Join hike leader Frank Golden and the Friends of Gold Butte on a 4 mile (round trip) hike to the rarely visited red sandstone formations that make up part of the Mud Hills. This hike is rated as moderate due to the distance. The elevation gain to the red rocks is about 250 feet. You can expect to add another hundred or two if you chose to climb some of the formations. The route to the the red rocks follows an easy sandy wash. There are some steep scrambling/ high stepping over some red rocks as we go deeper into the sandstone formations. Climbing up some of the rock formations will offer you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. Trekking poles may be helpful for some. The pace will be slow to allow for plenty of photographs and short side explorations. We will also make several stops for focused discussions on topics of scientific interest. A funny story or two (some true, others not so much) may also be shared.
A short explanation and demonstration of the app iNaturalist will be given. Participants are encouraged to download this app onto their smart-phone.
We will park just off of Gold Butte Road about 1 mile past the turn off to Devil’s Throat. Most cars including 2WD sedans should be able to make it with little difficulty, though high clearance AWD is recommended at a minimum. I would not recommend compact cars or cars with low clearance (sports cars).
For all hikes, please wear sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and a hat. Don’t forget to bring a jacket, sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. There are no stores or facilities in Gold Butte; be prepared to pee in the bushes. 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