Join Jim Boone and the Friends of Gold Butte as they explore this scenic hike through this iconic petroglyph area. This is a place to wander slowly and marvel in the glorious scenery where the rock walls are adorned with petroglyphs and pictographs. If the group wishes and the weather permits, we’ll also walk down to 21 Goats and back. This hike requires a small bit of rock scrambling as we move among the crags and precipitous cliffy areas.

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, this is a safe area, but be careful scrambling around on the rocks. The walking is fairly easy, but parts of the route cross rocky areas where the use-trail is faint. While in the area, remember that petroglyphs and pictographs are national treasures and are easily damaged. Please do not touch them, as the oils from you skin can degrade them. Be sure and bring your camera, and take plenty of photos to remember your hike.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Be prepared to pack out everything you pack in. Also, even though this hike is short, this is a wild and remote area without services of any kind (no restrooms, no water, no gas, no food, no cell service).

Bring plenty of water, food/snacks for yourself, and wear weather-appropriate clothing. If you plan to camp with us, you are responsible for all your own camping gear and food, and clothing. Layers are best, so you can adjust for the temperature fluctuations during the day. Please also bring hand sanitizer and sunscreen and wear closed-toed shoes and a hat. Hiking poles may also be helpful.

We will meet at the junction of Highway 170 and Gold Butte Road at 9:00 AM and will return to Whitney Pocket by 3:00 PM. You will have the option to camp overnight at the Whitney Pocket camping area and participate in the Amber Cat/Doodlebug Arch hike on 12/14, but please register for both hikes if you plan to camp overnight with us. The trailhead is accessible with a carefully driven sedan, although high clearance vehicles are preferred.

Please provide a cell phone number so we can contact you in case of changes. At the close of registration, you will be sent a link to the waiver. Please print, fill out and bring with you to the Meetup. If you register for this hike and then find that you are unable to attend, please change your status to “not going” and/or let one of the organizers know so someone from the waitlist will have the opportunity to participate. We understand that emergencies happen, but if you decide not to go, please kindly give 48 hours notice so someone else may attend. We know this hike is scheduled very close to the holiday, so we will need a minimum of 8 participants to be able to go ahead with it. Jim drives out from Las Vegas, so we would like to have that many to make it worthwhile for him.

Please, also, if you go out with our group, be courteous and tell the leader if you need to leave prior to the end of the tour, or if you wish to stay later on your own. Friends of Gold Butte cannot be responsible for those who fail to stay with and inform the group of a change in plans. We want everyone to be safe!

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