I received an invitation from an old friend to spend the day backpacking at Gold Butte. The area is known for it’s remote untouched wilderness and spectacular sandstone outcrops. It is named for the historic mining town and tent city of 1,000 miners in the early 1900’s. Gold Butte is located in the remote South East corner of Nevada along the Arizona border. Native American life from this area dates back 3,000 years. The sandstone outcrops have been sculpted by mother nature for thousands of years and are visible throughout the valley. The outcrops are shades of orange and whites mixed with reds all composed of Navajo sandstone / Aztec sandstone stained by iron compounds. The sandstone outcrops are also full of small washes that turn into slot canyons and hidden caverns.

My friends and I , along with Brix and Lady Bird ( a border collie ) spent the day exploring.  The photos are just a few of the highlights from the numerous sandstone outcrops throughout the area. From the top of the outcrop looking across the landscape, you could sense the spiritual power that had drawn the Native Americans to this valley.