Are you ready to burn off your Thanksgiving Turkey? Want to work off your Christmas goose? Then join Frank Golden and the Friends of Gold Butte for a hike to the Radio Tower!

This is an inaugural hike to a little known spot at GBNM and even less visited on foot. This is a strenuous hike. It is 4 miles round trip and climbs about 1600 feet. We will be hiking on a dirt road but it is an uphill trek the entire way. Some sections are steeper than others but we will go slow and even slower on the steep sections. We will plan for numerous breaks to catch our breath and enjoy the scenery. But you will need to be in reasonable shape for this challenging hike. This is not the hike to start your New Year’s resolution to begin exercising. Those that reach the top of the hill will be rewarded by an unobstructed close up view of the Virgin Mountains and Virgin Peak herself. Folks, pictures do not do her justice. Also, this hike comes with free bragging rights.

Hiking boots with ankle support are recommended. This hike is rated as strenuous due to the elevation gain. We will hike at a comfortable pace to allow for photography, observing wildlife and some discussions on geology and biology.

All of our hikes are free and open to the public. Due to Covid-19 we are currently not offering carpooling. High clearance vehicles are required and 4×4 is recommended although all-wheel-drive vehicles should be able to make it. We will meet at the “Kiosk”, the junction of Gold Butte Road and Riverside Road (dirt parking lot) at 8:00am and hopefully return by 4:30pm. All of our hikes are free and open to the public.

For all hikes, please wear sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and a hat. It’s a good idea to dress in layers. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks, and don’t forget your PPE and hand sanitizer. We will be practicing social distancing, so please be cognizant of your proximity to others. 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.

With Covid restrictions in place, we also have had to reduce the number of people for each of our outings. We are sorry about that, and hope it is a temporary thing. Keeping that in mind, please adhere to social distancing protocol at all times and please do not attend if you’re feeling ill or have symptoms. Masks will be required when in close proximity of others.

If you register for this hike and then aren’t able to go, please remove yourself from the “going” list and let one of the organizers know. This will allow someone on the waitlist to be notified and plan to attend. We understand that things come up last minute, but if you do not notify us and just do not show up, you will be tagged as a “no-show” and that could result in your not being permitted to register for future events. It is suggested that you give 48 hours notice if you’re not able to attend. We know that’s not always possible, especially in the case of illness, but please be courteous and let us know!!