RESCHEDULED from last week. This event was changed due to weather concerns.
Join Frank Golden for a hike to the summit of Little Virgin Peak (3,514 ft), a nice little peak standing in the morning shadow of “big” Virgin Peak. The hike is only 2.5-miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 750 feet. It is not easy, but the 360-degree views from the summit are surprisingly grand and worth the effort. The hike runs off-trail through a rocky cactus garden in the Mojave Desert Scrub, with nice examples of many species of southern Nevada cactus. Also of interest are the banded metamorphic rocks that are some of the oldest rocks in the area. This hike is rated moderate because it is steep and off trail. Hiking poles are helpful for balance and assisting in the climb. The pace will be slow with numerous stops for photography and discussions, especially on the way up. We will have our lunch at the summit.

For more information on the route up Little Virgin Peak, see:

http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/GoldButte/LittleVirgin/_LittleVirgin.htm

We will meet at the junction of Gold Butte Road and Riverside Road (dirt parking lot) at 8:30am and plan to return no later than 3:30pm.

All of our hikes are free and open to the public. Due to Covid-19 we are currently not coordinating carpooling, but you are welcome to do so. We are driving/parking along the paved Gold Butte Road, so all classes of vehicles are fine for this hike.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes/boots, and bring a wind-proof jacket and a hat. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. Please be prepared to practice social distancing. There are no stores or facilities in Gold Butte; be prepared to pee in the bushes.

We are pleased to offer all of our events to the public at no charge. Please, if you register for this hike and 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