On Sunday November 18, 2007 Nancy Hall, President of Friends of Gold Butte and myself – Greg Seymour, President of the Nevada Archaeological Association, teamed up to lead a hike for the Nevada Wilderness Project at Whitney Pockets in Gold Butte. This extraordinary place is situated south of the City of Mesquite on the east side of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Its eastern boundary is demarcated by Arizona border and the Colorado River defines its southern boundary.
As we walked among the immense sandstone outcrops, we learned about the history of the area, as well as the geology and flora and fauna. The outcrops exhibited hues of red, purple, orange, yellow, and white blended in layers that have been carved by wind and water. Growing amid the rocks were beautiful Joshua Trees, arms reaching for the deep blue sky. Lizards scurried out of our way as we hiked stretches of fine sands eroded from the rock outcrops. Occasionally petroglyph clusters, of geometric shapes and stylized animals, could be seen high above on the cliffs. As we walked along looking at the natural and cultural wonders we discussed the need for a Wilderness and a National Conservation Area designation in Gold Butte. This would keep this area’s rock art and other resources protected for us and future generations to enjoy.
At lunch we all became good friends and enjoyed some of Nancy’s homemade spicy honey mustard dressing on some freshly cut vegetables. That afternoon we came upon the tracks of a sidewinder (rattlesnake!) freshly imprinted into the sand reminding us that we are only respectful visitors. Although dry this year, we discovered tinajas where animals probably drank from stored pools of water in the bedrock. At the end of the day, we were all sorry to leave. Nature had given us a perfect day to enjoy.
Looks like you guys had a great trip!
Looking forward to heading out there for our December 8-9th hike thru Paradise Valley.
My favorite place in the state…hope there aren’t too many ATVers cruising through cultural resources in December…
I love the place too. My friends and I just discovered the “Gold Butte Experience” and love it. We are some of those “ATVers” and I would love to tell you that not all “ATVers” desecrate the cultural resources. The ATV is a great way to get around. With technological advances now in place the minimal impact of these cleaner burning machines has cut down on air pollution, we stay on the two tracks and we don’t leave horse manure on the trails filled with non native species seeds on the trail for everyone to step in. I believe that everyone can use Gold Butte for their own recreational purposes without too much impact on the environment just as long as people don’t drive off trail or damage and take out artifacts. The ATV can be used as a tool to help restore the area and pick up the garbage the “INCONSIDERATE ONES” leave behind. As a matter of fact I pick up garbage on my rides because it just makes me sick to see it there. I am not looking for the old pissing contest of atv impact good or bad but not all people ride like morons. I have gotten to see so many amazing things on my atv and will do so for a long time. I appreciate the glory of the old west and what Gold Butte has to offer and can see a ton of stuff. By the way how did you get to Whitney Pockets? Did you fly there? Or did you drive a 4X4 that weighs 10 times as much as my ATV? I was just wondering.
I am glad to hear of all the people that love Gold Butte. Larry makes some interesting points that not all ATVers damage the cultural resources. It’s a mistake to label people good or bad just because they are affiliated with a certain group – just as not all conservationists want people to live in dark caves and build campfires to get through this energy crunch.
However it is well documented that the resources are being damaged from illegal ATV trails and vandalism. We all wish that everyone that hops on an ATV would be as responsible as Larry, but that’s not the reality. If people want to continue to enjoy the BEAUTY of Gold Butte, no matter what form of recreation, this place needs to get protected as National Conservation Area with Wilderness.