Join Mike Lyons in a jeep and hike to South Virgin Peak. To the south of Mesquite are the Virgin Mountains, with Virgin Peak being the most prominent peak, however a mile to the east is South Virgin Peak. This peak is approximately the same elevation, 8,000 feet. With a jeep we can get to 7,000 feet by traveling through an alpine forest with craggy rock formations. In this adventure we will do that and then hike the remainder to the peak. The hike portion is 3 miles round trip with 1000 feet of elevation gain. A portion of the hike is off trail, on a side hill with loose rocks. Therefore, you should be experienced in this type of hiking. It is a difficult hike due to the terrain. Once on the peak you will sign the summit register and take in the 360 degree views including: Lake Mead, Gold Butte, Valley of Fire, Virgin Peak, Mount Bangs Mormon Mountains and Moapa Peak. We will meet at the Visitors Center at 7:45. Please bring a snack, water, poles. We expect to be back by 12:00.

This event is part of the 2026-27 season, and one of the the activities that can qualify you for the “Exploring Gold Butte Challenge!” For more information on the challenge, please see our website, friendsofgoldbutte.org .

Please Note: We will meet at the FoGB Visitors Center, in Mesquite, across from the City Hall. Plan on being there no later than 7:45 AM and return no later than noon.

You will leave your vehicles at the Visitors Center and ride with Mike.

We are pleased to offer all of our events to the public at no charge. Please, if you register for this ride and if you are unable to attend, take yourself off the “going” list and/or let one of the organizers know in sufficient time to let waitlisted people participate. We understand that last-minute things happen, but if possible be courteous and give at least 48 hours notice. If you register and then do not let us know that you won’t be attending but just fail to show up, you will be tagged as a “no-show” and this may result in your not being permitted to register for future events that have a participant limit. Please be courteous!

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