Cactus Garden Hike with Jim Boone

The Cactus Garden route starts at Fisherman Flats Gravel Pit Trailhead and wanders off-trail up the bajada towards the base of the Virgin Mountains. If we get that far (2 miles out), we’ll nose up into a narrow canyon beneath towering limestone cliffs and stop for lunch. We’ll probably return over most of the same route, but we could detour onto an old road as we return to the trailhead. Friends of Gold Butte hiked in this area many years ago, and we were struck by the number and diversity of cacti in the area. The walking should be easy, but there is no trail, so that automatically makes this a moderate hike. Given that it's December, there probably won't be many flowering plants on this hike, but we have had rain fairly recently, so you never know.

We will meet at the junction of Gold Butte Road and Riverside Road (dirt parking lot) at 9:00 AM and plan to return no later than 3:00 PM. You won't need a 4WD vehicle for this one, but high clearance may be helpful. We will be parking near the road, so a carefully driven sedan is sufficient.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes/boots, and bring a wind-proof jacket and a hat. Trekking poles may be helpful.Don't forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. There are no stores or facilities in Gold Butte; be prepared to pee in the bushes.

We are pleased to offer all of our events to the public at no charge. Please, if you register for this hike and are unable to attend, take yourself off the "going" list and/or let one of the organizers know in sufficient time to let waitlisted people participate. We understand that last-minute things happen, but if possible be courteous and give at least 48 hours notice. If you register and then do not let us know that you won't be attending but just fail to show up, you will be tagged as a "no-show" and this may result in your not being permitted to register for future events that have a participant limit. Please be courteous!

Gold Butte National Monument is primitive and has no services of any kind. Event participants must bring and carry their own water, food, sunscreen, basic first-aid items, any medications (e.g., EpiPen or asthma inhalers, etc.) a participant may need, and any other supplies they may want or need while participating in the event. Participants must wear appropriate footwear for the event (for example, for trash-clean-up events, sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots would be appropriate). Participants are strongly encouraged to wear broad-brimmed hats and dress in weather-appropriate clothing when participating outdoors. Participants are reminded to be plant and animal aware at all times. Finally, if the event necessitates, participants are strongly encouraged to provide their medical information (pre-existing conditions, medications, etc.) and their Emergency Contact information (name and phone number) on a card or piece of paper in a sealed envelope with their name on the outside. The volunteer organizer will collect and hold the envelopes during the event and return them, unopened, at the conclusion of the event if they are not needed; and the assumption of risk statement found at In-person Assumption of Risk