{"id":5763,"date":"2021-04-07T02:30:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T02:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/back-road-to-big-bear-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T03:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T03:29:22","slug":"gold-butte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/gold-butte\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold Butte National Monument"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-5763\" data-postid=\"5763\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-5763 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gfs7110 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_ik64111 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_4fak111    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Gold Butte: How to visit &#8211; What to see<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ready to go on an overland adventure that is seemingly far, far away, yet close to civilization?<\/strong> Nevada\u2019s newest National Monument, Gold Butte, offers a lot of wide-open desert scenery, colorful and uniquely shaped rock formations, dozens of archeological sites, and miles of back roads to enjoy. Mesquite, 80 miles north of Las Vegas, makes for a great jumping off point to spend a day exploring Gold Butte.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_5jqa112 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_dfuw112 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"230\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5777\" title=\"GoldButte\" alt=\"GoldButte\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte.jpg 320w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_7wyz110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_zlto113 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_3672114 button-bottom-center red  rounded embossed shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_dccq114 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"lightSpeedIn\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z51trFm5OL0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5791\" title=\"YouTubeGoldButte\" alt=\"YouTubeGoldButte\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_51vj114    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_4r7o110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_10jh115 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_b62c115  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            88 miles (141 km) one-way        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_h76s115  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Mojave Desert scenery<\/li>\n<li>Native American Rock Art<\/li>\n<li>Colorful rock formations<\/li>\n<li>Historic sites<\/li>\n<li>Desert flora<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_t3hy115 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_0jts116  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>High clearance vehicle, might need 4WD<\/li>\n<li>40 miles on broken paved road<\/li>\n<li>Very remote area<\/li>\n<li>No phone service<\/li>\n<li>No services<\/li>\n<li>Navigation skills needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_75wx116  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Elevation Gain<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Low point 1,600 feet elevation\nHigh point 3,800 feet        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_inji110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ajeh116 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_gaw2117   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p>Sandwiched between Lake Mead, Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Gold Butte preserves a unique corner of the Mojave Desert. Similar to the Mojave National Preserve 100 miles to its southwest, Gold Butte sets aside pristine desert scenery for future generations.<\/p>\n<p>Along with its classic Mojave Desert scenery, Gold Butte is also known for its abundance of Native American rock art, including the well-known Falling Man petroglyph. Another popular attraction in Gold Butte is a unique area of intricate geological formations called Little Finland. There\u2019s also a ghost town where a short-lived mining boom took place at the beginning of the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n<p>Gold Butte National Monument covers just under 300,000 acres. It was designated in December 2016 after a lengthy campaign by campaign by local conservation groups and the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians.<\/p>\n<p>On this tour, we\u2019re going to take you on an 88-mile round trip loop tour through the Monument but first, here\u2019s some general information you should know before you go.<\/p>\n<h2>Best Time to Visit<\/h2>\n<p>Our favorite times to visit Gold Butte is March and April. This is when we have seen some dazzling wildflower displays.<\/p>\n<p>After the month of May, it can be too hot to visit and it is definitely too hot to visit between June and mid-September. The best times to explore and enjoy the Monument are from October until early May.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-30\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MzAsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/tour-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Ad-800x500-TripPlan1.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_t4es117   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_c3tl117   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Road Conditions<\/h2>\n<p>Keep in mind that Gold Butte is a <strong>very<\/strong> remote area with little to no cell phone service. Be prepared with water, food, fuel and common sense.<\/p>\n<p>Regular cars can handle the paved portion of the road, but we don\u2019t recommend that you attempt any of the dirt roads. Stock trucks and SUVs can normally handle those roads but, like any desert dirt road, they are subject to change over time or after a significant weather event. Most 4WD vehicles and ATVs with all-terrain tires can tackle these issues but you might want to consider going to Gold Butte with another vehicle or more for safety.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting There<\/h2>\n<p>We start by taking exit 112 (Hwy 170) off I-15. This exit is 70 miles northeast of Las Vegas and 9 miles west of Mesquite.<\/p>\n<p>From the I-15 intersection, go south for a few miles. Just after crossing the Virgin River, turn right onto Gold Butte Road and reset your odometer. The badly aging pavement of this road stretches for 21 miles and is full of potholes, so be careful.<\/p>\n<p>This loop route is called the Gold Butte National Backcountry Byway (see picture below) and there are signs throughout the Monument indicating its path. And, on a map, it\u2019s shaped like a great big lollipop with the handle being the paved section and the approximately 50-mile round dirt portion being the lollipop.<\/p>\n<p>More&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-3\"><div class=\"g-single a-9\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdDeathValley4.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7z8g726   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" \/>\n        <input type=\"image\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/btn\/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" name=\"submit\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online.\" \/>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<!-- End PayPal Donations -->\n<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_o0p3558   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_lhzk118  slider-default  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"0\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"0\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"normal\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#596893 25%,#6676a9 25% 50%,#954210 50% 75%,#584b3b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#96946b 25%,#aea27a 25% 50%,#1a181d 50% 75%,#6c632c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#91937d 25%,#ffdb27 25% 50%,#534846 50% 75%,#c5b3b1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f5e5a 25%,#324118 25% 50%,#e4d8d8 50% 75%,#9c997a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5769\" title=\"GoldButtePic1\" alt=\"GoldButtePic1\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5769\" title=\"GoldButtePic1\" alt=\"GoldButtePic1\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Gold Butte National Monument sign<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#e0e9f0 25%,#1383c3 25% 50%,#6f6c87 50% 75%,#7f654a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4f637e 25%,#44637f 25% 50%,#826c54 50% 75%,#816951 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#604824 25%,#534e16 25% 50%,#331604 50% 75%,#391b13 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#99a3a2 25%,#6e5a1b 25% 50%,#88762c 50% 75%,#927e5d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5768\" title=\"GoldButtePic0\" alt=\"GoldButtePic0\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5768\" title=\"GoldButtePic0\" alt=\"GoldButtePic0\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Gold Butte National Back Country Byway<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0580e8 25%,#419cf9 25% 50%,#bac694 50% 75%,#3c3640 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3a4330 25%,#7f8d7c 25% 50%,#a2a7aa 50% 75%,#454b41 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3c3226 25%,#a5acb6 25% 50%,#576043 50% 75%,#4d4143 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#1d0b01 25%,#81af8b 25% 50%,#fcf2f0 50% 75%,#727266 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5770\" title=\"GoldButtePic2\" alt=\"GoldButtePic2\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5770\" title=\"GoldButtePic2\" alt=\"GoldButtePic2\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Plenty of cactus and desert flora<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#ae917f 25%,#d9d6c7 25% 50%,#936738 50% 75%,#d2b1ac 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a9856f 25%,#e5ccb6 25% 50%,#603c30 50% 75%,#a4845d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#685046 25%,#4e362c 25% 50%,#bca08a 50% 75%,#442b26 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#ddb89b 25%,#624f4b 25% 50%,#bcbaad 50% 75%,#7e655e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5771\" title=\"GoldButtePic3\" alt=\"GoldButtePic3\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5771\" title=\"GoldButtePic3\" alt=\"GoldButtePic3\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>The unique Falling Man petroglyph<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#017ed0 25%,#765e3a 25% 50%,#4f4b42 50% 75%,#270900 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bfbdb1 25%,#2d3319 25% 50%,#c1ada6 50% 75%,#d5c3ab 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d6a199 25%,#a7997c 25% 50%,#b98c86 50% 75%,#b67d69 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#804d3c 25%,#d4cec0 25% 50%,#d7cec7 50% 75%,#a18860 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5772\" title=\"GoldButtePic4\" alt=\"GoldButtePic4\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5772\" title=\"GoldButtePic4\" alt=\"GoldButtePic4\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Colorful rock formations near Falling Man<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#a8cce4 25%,#afc9e4 25% 50%,#bed4ec 50% 75%,#2e0100 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e2cdae 25%,#9e3b14 25% 50%,#542012 50% 75%,#763d22 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e2c792 25%,#a05a38 25% 50%,#ecccb7 50% 75%,#957463 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c8ac6d 25%,#b79f79 25% 50%,#8b7254 50% 75%,#211d02 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5773\" title=\"GoldButtePic5\" alt=\"GoldButtePic5\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5773\" title=\"GoldButtePic5\" alt=\"GoldButtePic5\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Colorful rock outcroppings at Whitney Pocket<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#005f97 25%,#035b8b 25% 50%,#80a5b8 50% 75%,#015b8f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3e9dcb 25%,#f8955e 25% 50%,#5e1a07 50% 75%,#0075b8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#62bade 25%,#ea9030 25% 50%,#813e23 50% 75%,#42b6e9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c78a47 25%,#ffc67b 25% 50%,#e3b079 50% 75%,#ebb47b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5774\" title=\"GoldButtePic6\" alt=\"GoldButtePic6\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5774\" title=\"GoldButtePic6\" alt=\"GoldButtePic6\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Little Finland&#8217;s unique rock formations<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#9f876f 25%,#016ec3 25% 50%,#026ec9 50% 75%,#9a5a3e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9b7f 25%,#997e63 25% 50%,#0d7fe2 50% 75%,#612a15 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cca586 25%,#c09e82 25% 50%,#310b00 50% 75%,#905744 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c6996f 25%,#debfa2 25% 50%,#220f08 50% 75%,#63342a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5775\" title=\"GoldButtePic7\" alt=\"GoldButtePic7\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5775\" title=\"GoldButtePic7\" alt=\"GoldButtePic7\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Mud Wash Narrows<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#087bd8 25%,#2c8ae2 25% 50%,#2a7bcc 50% 75%,#0066c1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f515e 25%,#b19997 25% 50%,#d09671 50% 75%,#300904 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#675956 25%,#a48872 25% 50%,#a3928a 50% 75%,#4f4b2e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c1998f 25%,#d2bab8 25% 50%,#ac908d 50% 75%,#d6c0ab 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5776\" title=\"GoldButtePic8\" alt=\"GoldButtePic8\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5776\" title=\"GoldButtePic8\" alt=\"GoldButtePic8\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>A remote road thru Gold Butte<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_r4yk110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_6w84119 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vm88119   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_mrjo119 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_dv1z119   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_vmod110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ci6h120 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_pp9u120   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-27\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjcsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-2a.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_f874120 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #000;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fvtv121   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>The Tour<\/h2>\n<p>For the first few miles, you\u2019ll pass by ranchland paralleling the river. The road turns left (away from the river) and begins climbing a gentle slope.<\/p>\n<p>At 12.5 miles, you\u2019ll cross the National Monument boundary. A few miles past that, look to the right for Lake Mead off in the far distance.<\/p>\n<h3>Bajada<\/h3>\n<p>The road then crosses a very large alluvial slope called a bajada. Here is your best bet to see wildflowers in the spring. There are also a wide variety of desert plants to see in this area. Near one of the gullies, park your vehicle here and walk up the bajada to inspect some the of the plants. You&#8217;ll find all types of different species.<\/p>\n<p>A bajada is formed when two or more alluvial fans overlap each other. All of the canyons exiting the Virgin Mountains to the east (left) of the road deposit rock and debris over the landscape. These alluvial fans are created as the debris continues to build up over thousands of flood events, then they overlap each other to create one large bajada. It is all the jumbled rock and dirt that becomes great soil for the desert plants to grow in.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Falling Man<\/h3>\n<p>At 19.7 miles, a dirt road goes off to the right and leads to the Monument\u2019s largest collection of rock art and a maze of colorful rock formations. You can easily spend a whole day here and still not see everything.<\/p>\n<p>Venturing down this road about 2 miles, you&#8217;ll reach the trailhead to the Falling Man or Luke Whitney petroglyph site. Located here is a hiking trail that leads around a maze of colorful rock formations and petroglyph panels. The trail is a little difficult to follow and explain. For that reason, we will be publishing a separate article to cover this hike and all the interesting things to see here.<\/p>\n<p>Continue on the road past the Falling Man trailhead to reach more points of interest. In about one mile, the road passes through a restoration area for the endangered and sensitive Las Vegas bear poppy flower. When we passed by here in mid April, we saw several plants blooming.<\/p>\n<p>Less than a half mile further, turn onto a road that goes left. The road ends shortly at another trailhead. Walking up the wash and a little to the left will take you to the 21 Goat petroglyph panel. Another trail that leads slightly to the right of the trail heads up to an old rancher&#8217;s dam and reservoir.<\/p>\n<h3>Whitney Pocket<\/h3>\n<p>Back on Gold Butte Road, continue for another 1.5 miles to reach Whitney Pocket where the pavement ends. In this area are more colorful rock formations, an ATV staging area with restrooms, places to camp, and a historical dam built in the 1930s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) that looks like a miniature Hoover Dam.<\/p>\n<p>The road that heads east past the dam leads into Arizona and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument. To resume out tour of Gold Butte, continue on the main road to the south.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7f6e121   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_c3lf121   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Little Finland Area<\/h3>\n<p>On down the main dirt road, about 3.5 miles past Whitney Pocket, we turn right onto Mud Wash North Road. This road takes us down into a fun, twisting desert wash and, in a few miles, we pass by vividly orange sandstone outcroppings where there are more petroglyphs.<\/p>\n<p>A few more miles down the road and we\u2019re near Little Finland, which is not visible from the road. This is another place where you can easily spend all day exploring and looking at these other-worldly rock formations.<\/p>\n<p>See our separate blog post on <a title=\"Little Finland in Gold Butte\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/little-finland-gold-butte\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Little Finland<\/a> for more details on this amazing place.<\/p>\n<h3>Red Bluff Spring and Mud Wash Narrows<\/h3>\n<p>Continuing down the road another 5 miles, we arrive at Red Bluff Spring, which is marked with a fence across the wash and the road turns south (left). Here, you can go on a 2-mile roundtrip hike through a small desert oasis and then into a narrow canyon called Mud Wash Narrows.<\/p>\n<p>The hike follows Mud Wash down a canyon with high walls on each side. After about a mile, the wash enters Mud Wash narrows, which is a very unusual slot canyon. In some places, your path may be wet and muddy. Walk down the narrows as far as you wish, then turn around and return to your vehicle following the same path you took in.<\/p>\n<h3>Seven Keyholes<\/h3>\n<p>About 1.75 miles past Red Bluff Spring, a road will bear to the left and continue somewhat parallel with the main road. This road leads to a unique slot canyon called Seven Keyholes.<\/p>\n<p>See our separate blog post on <a title=\"Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon in Gold Butte\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/seven-keyholes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seven Keyholes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Remote Section<\/h3>\n<p>Gold Butte\u2019s Backcountry Byway now heads due south and passes through a more remote portion of the Monument. Along this portion of the road, you&#8217;ll pass through pristine Mojave Desert landscapes and vegetation.<\/p>\n<p>One of the only roads leading to the right goes down to the mouth of Lime Canyon. At the end of this road, one can hike into rocky Lime Canyon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-26\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjYsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-bw2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Gold Butte<\/h3>\n<p>In 14.5 miles, we\u2019ve reached the townsite of Gold Butte. Gold was discovered here in 1905 and quickly 2,000 people were residing here in search of gold. Most left by 1910. Like many ghost towns, there\u2019s not much left here except for a few foundations, some dilapidated mining equipment and gravesites of two of the town\u2019s residents that hung on until the 1950s.<\/p>\n<p>From here, head north on the same Byway and in 20 miles, we complete the loop and are back at Whitney Pocket. Then, it\u2019s another 20 miles back to civilization on the so-called \u201cpaved\u201d road.<\/p>\n<p>Another way to learn about Gold Butte is to visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.FriendsOfGoldButte.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.FriendsOfGoldButte.org<\/a>. This organization supports the Monument and have a visitor center in Mesquite. Their handy map is invaluable when visiting the Monument.<\/p>\n<h3>Trip Map<\/h3>\n<p>To help plan your trip, either use our interactive Google Map below or download our GPX file that points out the places to see that are mentioned in this chapter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/gpx-files\/GoldButte.gpx\" download=\"\">Click here<\/a> to download our GPX file for our tour around Gold Butte National Monument. We recommend using a GPS mapping app, such as Gaia GPS, to view these points on your computer or to locate them using GPS with your mobile device or phone. Click the ad below to purchase Gaia GPS using our discount code and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_wqs1121\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_wqs1121  tf_lazy\" data-zoom=\"10\" data-type=\"TERRAIN\" data-address=\"36.58, -114.170003\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"enable\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.731736,-114.218959\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStart of trip\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.639448,-114.247085\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJuanita Springs (private property\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.576392,-114.204652\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tApproximate location of bajada\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.530361,-114.161844\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn-off to Falling Man petroglyph area\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.511655,-114.185421\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFalling Man petroglyph trailhead\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.500913,-114.19638\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t21 Goat Panel trailhead\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.52365,-114.14022\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhitney Pocket\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.47539,-114.164236\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn here onto Mud Wash North Road\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.438764,-114.20056\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAztec sandstone outcrop, USGS benchmark & petroglyphs\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.441773,-114.211805\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCoral - trailhead to Little Finland if hiking\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.463677,-114.23437\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad to Little Finland if driving\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.462788,-114.251611\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFence in wash. Road turns south. Hike to Red Bluff Spring and Mud Wash Narrows down wash.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.460587,-114.269338\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMud Wash Narrows\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.442766,-114.232179\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn off to Seven Keyholes\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.311884,-114.235854\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn off to Lime Canyon\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.280716,-114.2006\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGold Butte townsite\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"36.427721,-114.149075\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDevils Throat sink hole\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module maps pro --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_bj34122   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Comments<\/h3>\n<p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z51trFm5OL0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_f9hq110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_3pbn122 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_x1xn123   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" \/>\n        <input type=\"image\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/btn\/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" name=\"submit\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online.\" \/>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<!-- End PayPal Donations -->\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_zq3g123 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hvqb123   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_1fm7110 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_mlme124 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_0yue124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_j5no124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Short-wide --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"1662640655\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_2c9q124 button-bottom red  rounded gradient shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"rubberBand\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">More Trips<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Perhaps you would like to go on other trips like this?        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n                    <div class=\"callout-button tf_right tf_textr\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/road4wd\/\" class=\"ui builder_button rounded gradient shadow yellow\">\n                <span class=\"tb_callout_text\">See more Road Trips<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gold Butte: How to visit &#8211; What to see Ready to go on an overland adventure that is seemingly far, far away, yet close to civilization? Nevada\u2019s newest National Monument, Gold Butte, offers a lot of wide-open desert scenery, colorful and uniquely shaped rock formations, dozens of archeological sites, and miles of back roads to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,25,10,32,27,13,14,17,19,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-floraplants","category-historic","category-mojave-desert","category-native-american","category-nevada","category-road-trip-hike","category-road4wd","category-season-fall","category-season-spring","category-season-winter","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Nevada\u2019s newest, Gold Butte National Monument, offers a lot of wide-open desert scenery. Learn how to visit the monument using details in this article.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cliff Bandringa\"\/>\n\t<meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"gold butte,gold butte national monument,virgin river,lake mead,little finland,falling man,archeology,falling man archeological site,whitney pocket,virgin peak,21 goat panel,red bluff spring,mud wash,mud wash narrows,lime canyon,lime canyon wilderness,road trip\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/gold-butte\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO (AIOSEO) 4.9.9\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BackRoadsWest Trips Blog | A new kind of travel guide for the 21st Century\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gold Butte National Monument | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Nevada\u2019s newest, Gold Butte National Monument, offers a lot of wide-open desert scenery. 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Mesquite, 80 miles north of Las Vegas, makes for a great jumping off point to spend a day exploring Gold Butte.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte.jpg\" title=\"GoldButte\" alt=\"GoldButte\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte.jpg 320w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButte-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h3><\/h3> <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments. Then come back to get the rest of the story.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z51trFm5OL0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeGoldButte\" alt=\"YouTubeGoldButte\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/YouTubeGoldButte-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> 88 miles (141 km) one-way\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Mojave Desert scenery<\/li> <li>Native American Rock Art<\/li> <li>Colorful rock formations<\/li> <li>Historic sites<\/li> <li>Desert flora<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>High clearance vehicle, might need 4WD<\/li> <li>40 miles on broken paved road<\/li> <li>Very remote area<\/li> <li>No phone service<\/li> <li>No services<\/li> <li>Navigation skills needed<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Elevation Gain<\/h3> Low point 1,600 feet elevation High point 3,800 feet\n<h2>Introduction<\/h2> <p>Sandwiched between Lake Mead, Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Gold Butte preserves a unique corner of the Mojave Desert. Similar to the Mojave National Preserve 100 miles to its southwest, Gold Butte sets aside pristine desert scenery for future generations.<\/p> <p>Along with its classic Mojave Desert scenery, Gold Butte is also known for its abundance of Native American rock art, including the well-known Falling Man petroglyph. Another popular attraction in Gold Butte is a unique area of intricate geological formations called Little Finland. There\u2019s also a ghost town where a short-lived mining boom took place at the beginning of the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century.<\/p> <p>Gold Butte National Monument covers just under 300,000 acres. It was designated in December 2016 after a lengthy campaign by campaign by local conservation groups and the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians.<\/p> <p>On this tour, we\u2019re going to take you on an 88-mile round trip loop tour through the Monument but first, here\u2019s some general information you should know before you go.<\/p> <h2>Best Time to Visit<\/h2> <p>Our favorite times to visit Gold Butte is March and April. This is when we have seen some dazzling wildflower displays.<\/p> <p>After the month of May, it can be too hot to visit and it is definitely too hot to visit between June and mid-September. The best times to explore and enjoy the Monument are from October until early May.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h2>Road Conditions<\/h2> <p>Keep in mind that Gold Butte is a <strong>very<\/strong> remote area with little to no cell phone service. Be prepared with water, food, fuel and common sense.<\/p> <p>Regular cars can handle the paved portion of the road, but we don\u2019t recommend that you attempt any of the dirt roads. Stock trucks and SUVs can normally handle those roads but, like any desert dirt road, they are subject to change over time or after a significant weather event. Most 4WD vehicles and ATVs with all-terrain tires can tackle these issues but you might want to consider going to Gold Butte with another vehicle or more for safety.<\/p> <h2>Getting There<\/h2> <p>We start by taking exit 112 (Hwy 170) off I-15. This exit is 70 miles northeast of Las Vegas and 9 miles west of Mesquite.<\/p> <p>From the I-15 intersection, go south for a few miles. Just after crossing the Virgin River, turn right onto Gold Butte Road and reset your odometer. The badly aging pavement of this road stretches for 21 miles and is full of potholes, so be careful.<\/p> <p>This loop route is called the Gold Butte National Backcountry Byway (see picture below) and there are signs throughout the Monument indicating its path. And, on a map, it\u2019s shaped like a great big lollipop with the handle being the paved section and the approximately 50-mile round dirt portion being the lollipop.<\/p> <p>More...<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"3\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#596893 25%,#6676a9 25% 50%,#954210 50% 75%,#584b3b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#96946b 25%,#aea27a 25% 50%,#1a181d 50% 75%,#6c632c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#91937d 25%,#ffdb27 25% 50%,#534846 50% 75%,#c5b3b1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f5e5a 25%,#324118 25% 50%,#e4d8d8 50% 75%,#9c997a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic1\" alt=\"GoldButtePic1\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic1\" alt=\"GoldButtePic1\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Gold Butte National Monument sign <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#e0e9f0 25%,#1383c3 25% 50%,#6f6c87 50% 75%,#7f654a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4f637e 25%,#44637f 25% 50%,#826c54 50% 75%,#816951 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#604824 25%,#534e16 25% 50%,#331604 50% 75%,#391b13 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#99a3a2 25%,#6e5a1b 25% 50%,#88762c 50% 75%,#927e5d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic0\" alt=\"GoldButtePic0\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic0\" alt=\"GoldButtePic0\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic0-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Gold Butte National Back Country Byway <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0580e8 25%,#419cf9 25% 50%,#bac694 50% 75%,#3c3640 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3a4330 25%,#7f8d7c 25% 50%,#a2a7aa 50% 75%,#454b41 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3c3226 25%,#a5acb6 25% 50%,#576043 50% 75%,#4d4143 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#1d0b01 25%,#81af8b 25% 50%,#fcf2f0 50% 75%,#727266 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic2\" alt=\"GoldButtePic2\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic2\" alt=\"GoldButtePic2\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Plenty of cactus and desert flora <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#ae917f 25%,#d9d6c7 25% 50%,#936738 50% 75%,#d2b1ac 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a9856f 25%,#e5ccb6 25% 50%,#603c30 50% 75%,#a4845d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#685046 25%,#4e362c 25% 50%,#bca08a 50% 75%,#442b26 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#ddb89b 25%,#624f4b 25% 50%,#bcbaad 50% 75%,#7e655e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic3\" alt=\"GoldButtePic3\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic3\" alt=\"GoldButtePic3\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> The unique Falling Man petroglyph <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#017ed0 25%,#765e3a 25% 50%,#4f4b42 50% 75%,#270900 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bfbdb1 25%,#2d3319 25% 50%,#c1ada6 50% 75%,#d5c3ab 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d6a199 25%,#a7997c 25% 50%,#b98c86 50% 75%,#b67d69 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#804d3c 25%,#d4cec0 25% 50%,#d7cec7 50% 75%,#a18860 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic4\" alt=\"GoldButtePic4\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic4\" alt=\"GoldButtePic4\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Colorful rock formations near Falling Man <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#a8cce4 25%,#afc9e4 25% 50%,#bed4ec 50% 75%,#2e0100 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e2cdae 25%,#9e3b14 25% 50%,#542012 50% 75%,#763d22 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e2c792 25%,#a05a38 25% 50%,#ecccb7 50% 75%,#957463 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c8ac6d 25%,#b79f79 25% 50%,#8b7254 50% 75%,#211d02 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic5\" alt=\"GoldButtePic5\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic5\" alt=\"GoldButtePic5\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Colorful rock outcroppings at Whitney Pocket <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#005f97 25%,#035b8b 25% 50%,#80a5b8 50% 75%,#015b8f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3e9dcb 25%,#f8955e 25% 50%,#5e1a07 50% 75%,#0075b8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#62bade 25%,#ea9030 25% 50%,#813e23 50% 75%,#42b6e9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c78a47 25%,#ffc67b 25% 50%,#e3b079 50% 75%,#ebb47b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic6\" alt=\"GoldButtePic6\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic6\" alt=\"GoldButtePic6\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Little Finland's unique rock formations <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#9f876f 25%,#016ec3 25% 50%,#026ec9 50% 75%,#9a5a3e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9b7f 25%,#997e63 25% 50%,#0d7fe2 50% 75%,#612a15 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cca586 25%,#c09e82 25% 50%,#310b00 50% 75%,#905744 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c6996f 25%,#debfa2 25% 50%,#220f08 50% 75%,#63342a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic7\" alt=\"GoldButtePic7\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic7\" alt=\"GoldButtePic7\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Mud Wash Narrows <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#087bd8 25%,#2c8ae2 25% 50%,#2a7bcc 50% 75%,#0066c1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f515e 25%,#b19997 25% 50%,#d09671 50% 75%,#300904 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#675956 25%,#a48872 25% 50%,#a3928a 50% 75%,#4f4b2e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c1998f 25%,#d2bab8 25% 50%,#ac908d 50% 75%,#d6c0ab 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic8\" alt=\"GoldButtePic8\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"GoldButtePic8\" alt=\"GoldButtePic8\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoldButtePic8-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> A remote road thru Gold Butte\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n\n<h2>The Tour<\/h2> <p>For the first few miles, you\u2019ll pass by ranchland paralleling the river. The road turns left (away from the river) and begins climbing a gentle slope.<\/p> <p>At 12.5 miles, you\u2019ll cross the National Monument boundary. A few miles past that, look to the right for Lake Mead off in the far distance.<\/p> <h3>Bajada<\/h3> <p>The road then crosses a very large alluvial slope called a bajada. Here is your best bet to see wildflowers in the spring. There are also a wide variety of desert plants to see in this area. Near one of the gullies, park your vehicle here and walk up the bajada to inspect some the of the plants. You'll find all types of different species.<\/p> <p>A bajada is formed when two or more alluvial fans overlap each other. All of the canyons exiting the Virgin Mountains to the east (left) of the road deposit rock and debris over the landscape. These alluvial fans are created as the debris continues to build up over thousands of flood events, then they overlap each other to create one large bajada. It is all the jumbled rock and dirt that becomes great soil for the desert plants to grow in.\u00a0<\/p> <h3>Falling Man<\/h3> <p>At 19.7 miles, a dirt road goes off to the right and leads to the Monument\u2019s largest collection of rock art and a maze of colorful rock formations. You can easily spend a whole day here and still not see everything.<\/p> <p>Venturing down this road about 2 miles, you'll reach the trailhead to the Falling Man or Luke Whitney petroglyph site. Located here is a hiking trail that leads around a maze of colorful rock formations and petroglyph panels. The trail is a little difficult to follow and explain. For that reason, we will be publishing a separate article to cover this hike and all the interesting things to see here.<\/p> <p>Continue on the road past the Falling Man trailhead to reach more points of interest. In about one mile, the road passes through a restoration area for the endangered and sensitive Las Vegas bear poppy flower. When we passed by here in mid April, we saw several plants blooming.<\/p> <p>Less than a half mile further, turn onto a road that goes left. The road ends shortly at another trailhead. Walking up the wash and a little to the left will take you to the 21 Goat petroglyph panel. Another trail that leads slightly to the right of the trail heads up to an old rancher's dam and reservoir.<\/p> <h3>Whitney Pocket<\/h3> <p>Back on Gold Butte Road, continue for another 1.5 miles to reach Whitney Pocket where the pavement ends. In this area are more colorful rock formations, an ATV staging area with restrooms, places to camp, and a historical dam built in the 1930s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) that looks like a miniature Hoover Dam.<\/p> <p>The road that heads east past the dam leads into Arizona and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument. To resume out tour of Gold Butte, continue on the main road to the south.<\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h3>Little Finland Area<\/h3> <p>On down the main dirt road, about 3.5 miles past Whitney Pocket, we turn right onto Mud Wash North Road. This road takes us down into a fun, twisting desert wash and, in a few miles, we pass by vividly orange sandstone outcroppings where there are more petroglyphs.<\/p> <p>A few more miles down the road and we\u2019re near Little Finland, which is not visible from the road. This is another place where you can easily spend all day exploring and looking at these other-worldly rock formations.<\/p> <p>See our separate blog post on <a title=\"Little Finland in Gold Butte\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/little-finland-gold-butte\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Little Finland<\/a> for more details on this amazing place.<\/p> <h3>Red Bluff Spring and Mud Wash Narrows<\/h3> <p>Continuing down the road another 5 miles, we arrive at Red Bluff Spring, which is marked with a fence across the wash and the road turns south (left). Here, you can go on a 2-mile roundtrip hike through a small desert oasis and then into a narrow canyon called Mud Wash Narrows.<\/p> <p>The hike follows Mud Wash down a canyon with high walls on each side. After about a mile, the wash enters Mud Wash narrows, which is a very unusual slot canyon. In some places, your path may be wet and muddy. Walk down the narrows as far as you wish, then turn around and return to your vehicle following the same path you took in.<\/p> <h3>Seven Keyholes<\/h3> <p>About 1.75 miles past Red Bluff Spring, a road will bear to the left and continue somewhat parallel with the main road. This road leads to a unique slot canyon called Seven Keyholes.<\/p> <p>See our separate blog post on <a title=\"Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon in Gold Butte\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/seven-keyholes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seven Keyholes<\/a>.<\/p> <h3>Remote Section<\/h3> <p>Gold Butte\u2019s Backcountry Byway now heads due south and passes through a more remote portion of the Monument. Along this portion of the road, you'll pass through pristine Mojave Desert landscapes and vegetation.<\/p> <p>One of the only roads leading to the right goes down to the mouth of Lime Canyon. At the end of this road, one can hike into rocky Lime Canyon.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h3>Gold Butte<\/h3> <p>In 14.5 miles, we\u2019ve reached the townsite of Gold Butte. Gold was discovered here in 1905 and quickly 2,000 people were residing here in search of gold. Most left by 1910. Like many ghost towns, there\u2019s not much left here except for a few foundations, some dilapidated mining equipment and gravesites of two of the town\u2019s residents that hung on until the 1950s.<\/p> <p>From here, head north on the same Byway and in 20 miles, we complete the loop and are back at Whitney Pocket. Then, it\u2019s another 20 miles back to civilization on the so-called \u201cpaved\u201d road.<\/p> <p>Another way to learn about Gold Butte is to visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.FriendsOfGoldButte.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.FriendsOfGoldButte.org<\/a>. This organization supports the Monument and have a visitor center in Mesquite. Their handy map is invaluable when visiting the Monument.<\/p> <h3>Trip Map<\/h3> <p>To help plan your trip, either use our interactive Google Map below or download our GPX file that points out the places to see that are mentioned in this chapter.<\/p> <p><a href=\"\/blog\/gpx-files\/GoldButte.gpx\" download=\"\">Click here<\/a> to download our GPX file for our tour around Gold Butte National Monument. We recommend using a GPS mapping app, such as Gaia GPS, to view these points on your computer or to locate them using GPS with your mobile device or phone. Click the ad below to purchase Gaia GPS using our discount code and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Start of trip Juanita Springs (private property Approximate location of bajada Turn-off to Falling Man petroglyph area Falling Man petroglyph trailhead 21 Goat Panel trailhead Whitney Pocket Turn here onto Mud Wash North Road Aztec sandstone outcrop, USGS benchmark & petroglyphs Coral - trailhead to Little Finland if hiking Road to Little Finland if driving Fence in wash. Road turns south. Hike to Red Bluff Spring and Mud Wash Narrows down wash. Mud Wash Narrows Turn off to Seven Keyholes Turn off to Lime Canyon Gold Butte townsite Devils Throat sink hole <\/template>\n<h3>Comments<\/h3> <p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z51trFm5OL0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><p>[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3> <p>[mc4wp_form]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"1662640655\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h3>More Trips<\/h3> Perhaps you would like to go on other trips like this? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/road4wd\/\"> See more Road Trips <\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5763"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7985,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5763\/revisions\/7985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}