Yes, you read that correctly! Join hike leaders Frank Golden, Mitch Fry and the Friends of Gold Butte on four separate and distinct adventure events in a single outing!

Our first event is a moderate hike, the Valatier Wash / Paradise Valley Loop. Afterwards, we will drive to the Gold Butte Town Site to set up our individual camps. Exploring the townsite is our second event. The next event occurs that evening. Telescopes will be set up to gaze upon the heavens. The next morning, the fourth event is a hike to conquer Gold Butte Peak.

Attendees who are driving 4×4 high clearance vehicles will have the opportunity to add an optional fifth adventure by departing the monument via the west side of the Backcountry Byway. Those with low clearance non-4×4 vehicles will depart the monument by retracing the same route that we used to get to the town site (the east side of the Backcountry Byway).

Please note that the road to the Gold Butte Townsite is in rough shape at certain spots. High clearance AWD is recommended as a minimum.

Please contact Frank Golden via the comments if you would like to participate in some but not all of the activities. We will try to accommodate your request.

Attendees are responsible for all your own meals, snacks, drinks and meal preparation. Furthermore, Attendees are responsible for your own camping equipment including but not limited to sleeping bags, mattresses, tents, camp chairs, flash lights, etc.

Valatier Wash/Paradise Valley Loop: Moderate, 4 miles total, 250 ft elevation change. click on this link for an in-depth description: https://www.meetup.com/friends-of-gold-butte/events/290356620/

Gold Butte Peak: Strenuous, 3.6 miles total, 950 ft elevation change. Click on this link for an in depth description:
https://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/GoldButte/GB_Peak/_GB_Pk.htm

We will hike at a comfortable pace to allow for photography, observing wildlife and some discussions on geology and biology. Please wear a hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes or boots. Also, bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks, your PPE and hand sanitizer. We will be practicing social distancing, so please be cognizant of your proximity to others. There are no facilities in Gold Butte; be prepared to pee in the bushes. As with most of Gold Butte National Monument, there is no cell phone coverage in this area. We practice Leave No Trace ethics so be prepared to carry out everything you bring in.

All of our hikes are free and open to the public. Due to Covid-19 we are currently not offering carpooling but attendees are welcome to make arrangements with others. We will meet at the “Kiosk,” the junction of Gold Butte Road and Riverside Road (dirt parking lot) at 10:00 AM and plan to return no later than 3:00 PM the next day.

Please adhere to social distancing protocol at all times and please do not attend if you’re feeling ill or have symptoms. Masks are recommended 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.

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