Hiking Around Las Vegas, Gold Butte National Monument
 Descending from "Gentry Ranch" to the Virgin River (view S) |
Overview The Gentry Ranch area is an interesting place to hike along the banks of the Virgin River, parts of which were underwater when Lake Mead was higher. There is some history here, but it isn't the most exciting place to hike. However, in southern Nevada, we seldom get to hike along a flowing river on our home turf, so that makes this hike a treat. The early spring wildflowers can be great at this low elevation. Historically, the Gentry family ran thousands of head of cattle in the Gold Butte area, and this area is marked on some old maps as "Gentry Ranch." However, there do not seem to be any old buildings or remains of other structures that one might expect to find at a spot marked "ranch" on an old map. Presented here are photos of the return because it always looks different on the way back. For a detailed description of the route, including directions, maps, GPS coordinates, and outbound photos, see Gentry Ranch Route. |
 Virgin River (upstream; view W) |
 Virgin River (downstream; view E) |
 Virgin River hits the rocky cliffs (downstream; view SE) |
 Virgin River abuts the rocky cliffs (downstream; view SW) |
 Rocky cliff at edge of the river (view W) |
 The broken cliffs are solid (view SW) |
 Approaching a bit of easier terrain (view SW) |
 With hiking poles, this is not as bad as it looks (view SW) |
 A small ponds and easy walking (view SW) |
 Sandy bank of the Virgin River (view SW) |
 Rocky bank of the Virgin River (view SW) |
 Muddy bank of the Virgin River (view SW) |
 Route departs the river and heads towards base of cliffs (view SE) |
 Route approaching an old river channel along base of cliffs (view SE) |
 Route follows old river channel along base of cliffs (view S) |
 Route follows old river channel along base of cliffs (view S) |
 Route in old river channel approaches gauging station (view S) |
 Route follows cow-trail out of the river channel (view S) |
 Back above the mud cliffs (view S) |
 Returning to the gauging station (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Gentry Ranch Route (view S) |
 Route follows the old road (view SE) |
 The cows know where to go; stay left towards road grader (view SE) |
 Leaving the old roads towards the road grader (view SE) |
 Approaching the road grader (view SE) |
 Turning past the road grader (view E) |
 Recrossing the gully (view S) |
 One illegal road, route turns right to stay along the river (view SW) |
 Route returns to the old road (view SW) |
 Approaching the next washout, the old road detours left (view S) |
 At intersection of illegal roads, route stays right towards the river |
 Passing the last view of the flood plain from above the mud cliffs |
 Route continues on the closed road (view SE) |
 Returning back towards the trailhead, vehicles might be visible |
 Old road approaching the short-cut (view SE) |
 Again, the cow know where to go (view SE) |
 Approaching the post-and-cable fence (view SE) |
 Returning to the post-and-cable fence (view SE) |
 The route returns up VRL Road (view SE) |
 VRL Road approaching the trailhead (view SE) |
 VRL Road returning to the trailhead (view SE) |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240325
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