Trip Report: Gold Butte National Monument Car Camp, Day Hikes
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Gold Butte National Monument Car Camp, Day Hikes By Kris Hintze |
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| HIKE | 02/20/2025 | MOD |
| Organized by Dennis Goreham, report by Kris Hintze, photos by John Gold & Kris Hintze Participants: Kris Hintze, Jim Kucera, John Gould, Dennis Goreham, Matt Goreham, and Matt Peters ________________________________________ Thursday: Arrival and Exploration The journey to Gold Butte National Monument began with a sense of anticipation. Dennis, Jim, and Matt G. arrived earlier than the rest of the group and took the extra time to enjoy a couple of spontaneous hikes. Soon after, everyone arrived at camp and settled into their various camping arrangements. Some of us opted for the comfort of car camping, while others embraced the simplicity of tent camping, and a few chose to sleep under the vast open sky, directly under the stars. After everyone got settled in, we embarked on a short, exploratory hike around the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) campsite area. Our exploration led us to a small but charming sandstone arch. It wasn't a grand monument, but it held a quiet beauty that set the tone for the adventure ahead. Back at camp as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon and the fire was crackling, we gathered around to prepare our dinners. Conversations flowed easily, punctuated by Matt P.'s impromptu storytelling. With a flair for the dramatic, Matt entertained us with tales spun from his imagination, and we all laughed into the night, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the comfort of each other's company. ________________________________________ Friday: Khota Circus, Little Finland, and Seven Keyholes Friday morning began with a special surprise. Those who were early risers were treated to the haunting hoot of a great-horned owl echoing through the camp - a perfect way to start the day. After breakfast, we set out for our first major hike of the trip, a five-mile trek to Khota Circus, an ancient petroglyph panel that left us in awe. The 50-foot-long art piece on the rock face displayed images of tortoises, deer, big horn sheep, geese flying in formation, and a collection of other animals, including snakes, lizards, and centipedes. Some hunting scenes and mysterious symbols dotted the panel, too, adding to its intrigue. Rumor has it that Khota is the Punjabi word for donkey, and given the presence of wild burros in the area, we speculate that the name "Khota Circus" refers to a "donkey circus" - an imaginative way of describing these figures, perhaps. Next, we ventured to Little Finland, a surreal landscape where wind and water erosion have created striking "fin-like" sandstone formations. The landscape here felt otherworldly, as though we had stepped into a place where nature's creativity had run wild. The delicate arches and sharp angles seemed to defy gravity, creating a visual spectacle that was both humbling and mesmerizing. On our way back to camp, we stopped at a small slot canyon known as Seven Keyholes. Here, the canyon walls were adorned with even more petroglyphs, continuing the theme of ancient art that told stories of the land and its previous inhabitants. ________________________________________ Saturday: Bonelli Peak Summit Saturday started early, as we had a bit of a drive ahead of us - rough, washed-out roads led us to the base of Bonelli Peak. The journey to the top of the peak was not for the faint of heart. We began with a short walk through dry wash basins and cattle trails before the real challenge began. The ridgeline ascent was moderately steep, with several saddlebacks along the way that offered us a chance to pause and catch our breath. As we climbed higher, the landscape became more rugged, with large boulders of granite and gneiss interspersed with outcroppings of quartz. The reward for the climb was nothing short of spectacular. Four of us made it to the summit, where we were treated to a 360-degree view that stretched out before us like an intricate map. To the west, the blazing red hues of the Valley of Fire contrasted beautifully with the snow-capped peaks of the Spring Mountains and the sparkling blue expanse of Lake Mead. Looking east, the Grand Wash Cliffs in Arizona rose majestically against the horizon. Northern views revealed Virgin Peak, Rattlesnake Peak, and Jumbo Peak, each one adding to the grandeur of the scene. ________________________________________ Wildlife Encounters Throughout the trip, we were fortunate enough to encounter some of the unique wildlife that calls this area home. Wild burros meandered near the various hikes, their presence adding a wild, untamed element to the landscape. Ravens soared above us, their calls echoing through the canyon walls, while phainopeplas flitted between the trees. We spotted a northern harrier hunting in the open, and ground squirrels scurried about, ever-watchful of predators. As the sun dipped low, bats emerged to dart through the evening air, adding their own rhythm to the wilderness symphony. ________________________________________ As the weekend ended, Dennis, Jim, and John stayed a couple of extra hours before departing to meet with the Friends of Gold Butte in a trash pickup activity with the Friends of Gold Butte group. We all left Gold Butte with a deeper appreciation for its raw beauty and ancient history. The landscape, rich in petroglyphs and natural wonders, had told its own stories, and we were grateful to be part of that narrative, if only for a brief moment in time. |
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