Gold to Grand Loop

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Gold Butte National Monument, NV

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Route Overview

Forrest Radarian

Northern Arizona - Bikepacking and Adventure Riding

130 mi.

11,062 ft.

Gold to Grand Loop takes bikepackers on a desert ride through Gold Butte and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monuments along the Nevada/Arizona border. The route travels across the vast arid basins of the Mojave Desert in addition to tracing and climbing over the pinyon-studded Virgin Mountains. Full Route Guide: https://www.theforrestbiome.com/gold-to-grand-loop

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Route Details

# Detailed Route Guide
- [Gold to Grand Loop - Full Route Guide](https://www.theforrestbiome.com/gold-to-grand-loop)

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# Route Overview

Gold to Grand Loop takes bikepackers on a desert ride through @poi[Gold Butte](121098317) and @poi[Grand Canyon-Parashant](121098312) National Monuments along the Nevada/Arizona border.  The route travels across the vast arid basins of the Mojave Desert in addition to tracing and climbing over the pinyon-studded @poi[Virgin Mountains](121098292).  Bikepackers can expect to visit springs providing @poi[riparian oases](121098275) while cycling dirt track along and through exposed, vibrantly colorful geological formations.  Gold to Grand Loop meanders within environmentally important habitat for the Mojave desert tortoise but mule deer and big horn sheep are out here too.  Junipers and Joshua trees intermix along with creosote and yucca along terrain that ranges from 1400 to 4900 feet. This is a great 3-4 day winter bikepacking trip close to Las Vegas and through the heart of where the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave Desert meet.

The route starts and ends at @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098283) - a series of warped buttes colorfully jutting form the desert floor.  The track quickly descends into the heart of @poi[Gold Butte](121098287), doing a nearly full circumference ride of the national monument while taking in opportunities for side hikes at @poi[Little Finland](121098300) and @poi[Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon](121098284).  Riders are encouraged to take time for historical visits of the old @poi[Gold Butte Townsite](121098286) and to keep an eye open for the many culturally significant petroglyphs dotted across the landscape.  Gold to Grand Loop then enters the remote and little-visited @poi[Parashant](121098312), providing views of the @poi[Grand Wash Cliffs](134891405) that officially mark the end of the Grand Canyon as the stratified layers dive into the Mojave Desert at Lake Mead.  Ecologically-rich @poi[Pakoon Springs](121098275) is a riparian thicket to explore while @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278) provides needed water at the top of the Pakoon Basin.  The route’s crux is a climb over @poi[Lime Kiln Pass](121098305) where an exhilarating descent through its namesake canyon carries riders to the high desert town of @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098294) for a resupply and burritos.  Bikepackers finish the route by ascending back up into Joshua tree groves with a return to Whitney Pocket.

## Route Highlights
- Riding across Gold Butte and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monuments
- Hiking at Little Finland and Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon
- Seeing Devil's Throat sinkhole 
- Biking down geologically gorgeous Mud Wash
- Exploring historic Gold Butte Townsite
- Seeing the Grand Wash Cliffs
- Visiting ecologically-rich Pakoon Springs
- Staying overnight or stopping at Aravada Springs Campground
- Climbing up into the Virgin Mountains
- Descending Lime Kiln Canyon
- Burritos and tacos in Mesquite, NV
- Exploring Whitney Pocket
## 
## Recommended Tire Size: 2.6" - 3.0"

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# Riding Seasons:
- **Best**: November; Late January - Early April
- **Doable**: December - Mid-January
* **NOT Advisable**: Late April - October
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# Surface Color Guide
- **Red** = Dirt Surface (Rugged, Smooth, or Sandy; Variously Maintained; Doubletrack to Wide)
- **Brown** = Primitive Dirt Surface (Rarely/Never Maintained, Particularly Rocky/Rutted/Eroded)
- **Blue** = Vehicular Pavement
- **Green** = Paved Bike Path

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# Surface Conditions and Route Difficulty

- **Physical Difficulty = 7/10*** *(Very rugged terrain with abundant climbing, some of which is very steep and unrideable)*
- **Technical Difficulty = 5/10*** *(Continuous sections of track may be rocky, loose, and steep; (e.g., 4×4 roads or singletrack in rugged/rocky terrain) suitable for intermediate mountain bikers)*
- **Based on Bikepacking Roots' Rating Scales*
## 
The Gold to Grand Loop sticks to dirt dirt roads that course across the public lands of Gold Butte and the Parashant. The dirt roads run from smooth as silk and suitable for skinny tires to rocky, rugged with embedded rock, graveled, and sandy.  In all, expect both extremely rough surfaces as well as fast hardpack.  Washboard is found in some locations.  The approximately four miles of dirt that climb up and over @poi[Lime Kiln Pass](121098305) are really rocky, rutted, primitive, and will require most bikepackers to hike-a-bike. But the views are exceptional and abate the difficulty of this crux of the route.

In inclement weather, the southeast portions of the route around Grand Canyon-Parashant NM will become @point[impassable](d,93241.77), due either to washouts, flash flooding, or rare sections of peanut butter mud.  Stay safe and stay out of washes or low areas at those times.  During fall/early winter, most of the roads along the route may be more eroded and rocky due to the summer's monsoons.  Expect the best road conditions in late winter/spring.

The **technical difficulty** is due to the occasional rocky sections and mild but short sandy sections. Most of this is concentrated near @poi[Lime Kiln Pass](121098305), @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278), and riding down @point[Mud Wash Road](d,23733.09).  The 3-4 mile section over Lime Kiln Pass is particularly technical.  But it is stands as an outlier from the rest of the route.

The **physical difficulty** is mostly due to frequent and sometimes steep climbing. There is copious sustained ascending across many portions of this route between basins, valleys, and mountain passes.  Some of these will feel especially unrelenting given their length and grade.

## Noteworthy Climbs
1. @slice[Ascending to Lime Kiln Pass](d,132448.3,138733) to get over the Virgin Mountains.  Definitely the crux.
2. The long climb from @slice[Pakoon Springs to Aravada Springs](d,100981.6,117800.1).
3. Climbing up the soft sand/dirt road @slice[from the Virgin River to Government Spring](d,176756.6,188429.6) near the end.
4. The climb up to @slice[Gold Butte Townsite from Mud Wash](d,31648.4,52400).  
## 
## Noteworthy Primitive, Rocky Surfaces
1. @poi[The climb up and over Lime Kiln Pass](115585143) on either side of the saddle can be a mindfield of large rocks and decayed track.  
2. @slice[The connector from Horse Springs to Gold Butte Road](d,62983.5,64652.3) is along a wash and then over lots of babyheads.  It's a short connector though and that water is worth it.  
3. @point[Mud Wash](d,23289.29) can get very sandy and soft.
4. @point[The climb from the Virgin River to Government Spring](d,179900.32) has approximately three miles of soft/sandy washboard.

## 
## Noteworthy Vehicular Pavement
1. @slice[Riverside Road/170](d,165228.9,174277.9): Stretches from Bunkerville to the turn onto the Gold Butte Backcountry Byway.  It's smooth pavement but with little shoulder.  However, traffic is light and mostly involves ATVs heading into the hills from Mesquite.  
2. @slice[Gold Butte Backcountry Byway](d,174667.6,208371.8): Technically this is pavement, but I really think of it as semi-paved.  A 2WD vehicle can travel down it, but the road is a patchwork of smooth alphalt, terrible quilted sealing/pothole patches, and decades of disrepair.  In fact, sections of straight up dirt just happen for portions.  There are vehicles/ATVs heading to Gold Butte, but they are polite and pass with room.  Traffic is overall light.  
## 
## Parking
The Gold to Grand Loop is intended to be ridden in a counterclockwise direction.  @poi[Park your vehicle](111650901) in the large dirt parking lot at Whitney Pocket at the end of the pavement in Gold Butte National Monument.  Go find a back corner or side area to leave it for your duration of your ride.  Parking is free and doesn't require a permit.

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# Water and Food

## Water Reliability Scale
- 1 = unreliable
- 2 = seasonal;
- 3 = mostly reliable;
- 4 = definite source
## 
## ****Suggested Water Carrying Capacity: 6 - 10 Liters****
This quantity depends on the season, temperature, your own body’s needs, etc.  This is NOT the route to be messing around with how little water you think you can get by with to save weight.

This is a dry desert environment and very remote. Be smart about your water resupplying. The springs listed on the route range from reliable to unreliable; they’ll be especially good after some solid winter precipitation.  If it's been a dry winter or fall, some of these sources may be empty.  Plan to carry several liters of water, sometimes enough to last at least 24 hours and more than you think you'll need should you arrive at a source and find it dry.

The best springs on-route are @poi[Horse](121098276), @poi[Aravada](121098278), and @poi[Government](134829111).  Definite water can be found at @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278) and @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098294).  You may find a few other sources out there in dirt cattle ponds and old unmaintained pipes. Jim Boone, an ecologist in the area, told me that over 90% of the springs that used to run in Gold Butte from the early 1900s are now dry.  The ones I listed are the ones he recommended and that I’ve confirmed.

**IMPORTANT:** **Definite water is available for bikepackers in addition to overnight tent camping at @poi[Aravada Springs Campground](121098278). But the following procedures MUST be followed:**
1. **Each cyclist or group traveling together will need to call the reservation phone number 801-431-4950 (in-season March-November) or 435-994-5537 (out-of-season December - February).** Do this BEFORE leaving to start the route as there is no cell phone reception once you head into Gold Butte and the Parashant. Give your name, the number of people arriving with you, what date you plan to arrive, and if you are able to give an approximate time of arrival. This will allow Aravada Springs to make sure the gate is open and that their Ranch Manager is aware of your arrival. The gate is usually open, so hopefully there will not be any issues with it not being open.
2. Bikepackers will not need to check in with anyone. You are welcome to get water, use the restrooms located by the pond, and then leave. However, remember this is private property so be respectful and act as an ambassador of the route. We want to keep good relationships.
3. You can collect water from the @poi[pipe](134904998) that comes out of the hill near the pond. This pipe comes directly from Aravada Springs's culinary water system which comes from natural cold water springs located on the property. They test the water regularly but the state of Nevada lists their water as non-potable, so treat/filter it if you want.  Cyclists are also welcome to use the @poi[white outdoor sink](134904996) located behind the kitchen if it has not been winterized. It is located in the back right corner behind the kitchen building, which is the third main building on your right after entering the property and just after the covered outdoor eating area with picnic tables. Finally, if the @poi[restrooms](134904997) are open (next to the kitchen building and featuring two white doors on a dark wood building) you may get water from those sinks.
4. Aravada Springs is open seasonally from March - November. It is closed seasonally December - February. Bikepackers are welcome to enter the property at any time of year for water.
## 
The only full good resupply on the route will be located in @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098294).  Make sure to grab some tacos and burritos from @poi[La Mexicana Grocery Store Market](121098295).

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# Fees and Permits
- Gold Butte National Monument and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument have no fees or required permits.  
- A [Recreational Land Use Permit](https://land.az.gov/applications-permits) is required for any travel or camping on Arizona State Lands. Apply for and pay for one before you head out on the route. Carry it with you.

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# Important Information

**Friends of Gold Butte:** Consider supporting the local nonprofit looking to preserve and improve Gold Butte National Monument.  They also put on volunteer events and work with various organizations in the region to protect and enhance Gold Butte National Monument.  [Check them out!](https://www.friendsofgoldbutte.org/)

**ATVs:** ATVs are common along the roads of Gold Butte and the Parashant.  However, I have found drivers are pretty respectful, will check on you/offer you water, and give you space when passing.  The densest ATVs will be found between Lime Kiln Pass and the town of Mesquite, NV as drivers head into the hills.  Prepare for a bunch heading up towards you as you are heading down towards the city.

**Cows:** Cows illegally grazing are prevalent and widespread across Gold Butte.  They'll leave you alone if you leave them alone.

**Dark Skies:** Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is an International Dark Sky Province.  This means that you can expect to have anywhere between Bortle Class 1 - 3 night skies overhead (even better night viewing during a new moon).  The Bortle Class Scale is used to rate night skies on their clarity and lack of light pollution.  A Bortle Class 1 is the darkest possible and there are several locations along these routes where, should you camp, you will have this level of darkness.  Here, night skies will be virtually unimpeded by artificial light.

**Pakoon Springs:** This is a spring located in GC-Parashant.  When you get here, read the kiosk, enjoy the hike/trail that loops the spring, and grab some water.  If you do go looking for water, be aware that this is habitat for endangered relict leopard frogs.  Don't trample the spring or vegetation.  The water can be hard to find and marshy, so if this feels like too much work, make sure to carry enough from Horse Springs to get you to Aravada Springs.

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# General Access
Bikes are allowed to travel on all established roads within the National Monuments.  But please keep to the roads.  Gold Butte is an environmentally significant area for Mojave desert tortoises and off-road travel tramples their habitat.  In addition, cryptobiotic crust is found along the route.  Don't trample it as it keeps the soil solid and resistant to erosion.  Lastly, Gold Butte Road travels along the boundary of the Lime Canyon Wilderness; don't take your bike into the Wilderness Area.

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# Camping
There is abundant dispersed camping across the public lands of Gold Butte and GC-Parashant National Monuments; both are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Try to camp in already-impacted sites with durable surfaces. Always camp 0.25 miles or further from springs/water sources. I've noted a few great camping spots along the route for your consideration.  If you want to camp at the start and end of the route, @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098283) has some epic dispersed sites set amid its excellent geological formations.

@poi[Aravada Springs Campground](134904999) has agreed to let bikepackers tent camp at their private property, so a big thank you goes out to them!  **IMPORTANT: Definite water available for bikepackers in addition to overnight tent camping. But the following procedures MUST be followed:**

1. **Each cyclist or group traveling together will need to call the reservation phone number 801-431-4950 (in-season March-November) or 435-994-5537 (out-of-season December - February).**  Do this BEFORE leaving to start the route as there is no cell phone reception once you head into Gold Butte and the Parashant. Give your name, the number of people arriving with you, what date you plan to arrive, and if you are able to give an approximate time of arrival. This will allow Aravada Springs to make sure the gate is open and that their Ranch Manager is aware of your arrival. The gate is usually open, so hopefully there will not be any issues with it not being open.
2. Remember this is private property so be respectful and act as an ambassador of the route. We want to keep good relationships.
3. Tent camping will be available for bikepackers. There is an orchard on the northeast end of the pond where tents can be set up. The cost is $20.00 per night, cash-only. When you call to notify Aravada Springs of your visit, you can make arrangements to tent camp. 
4. Complete a [Bikepacking Registration Form](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LAbL3zy1oWPjVcss_t5j9ZVMOl-Qu-0r/view?usp=sharing) and a [Liability Waiver](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CK27BmkaukMR0DoKlGwPSgma88Ct8aMe/view?usp=sharing) for Aravada Springs. - both are required for every cyclist overnight camping on the property.  You can either print them yourself and bring them, or Aravada Springs will have them available in a box next to the registration office.  Make sure to place them in the drop box at the registration office in addition to your payment when you leave.  There will also be comment cards available if you wish to leave comments or any feedback.

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# Sample Route Itinerary
These are suggested itineraries.  Use them as rough guides for your own planning purposes.  Feel free to use them, adapt them, or don't use them at all and make your own plans.  Plan your trip on this route based on your own strengths, comfortabilities, experiences, wants, and needs.

## *3 Day Itinerary*

**Day 1**
- **Mileage**: 33 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 2700 ft.
- **Description**: Make today about side-hikes and exploration.  Leave your car at @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098296) and head south to the @poi[Devil's Throat](121098281) before joining @point[Mud Wash](d,21846.88).  Take a side-hike out to @poi[Little Finland](121098300) and take another side-hike at @poi[Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon](121098284).  End the day biking up to @poi[Gold Butte Townsite](121098286) where there are plenty of spots to dispersed camp.  
- **Water**: Carry enough to last you 24 hours. @poi[Granite Spring](121098301) at Gold Butte Townsite may have water but is unreliable.
- **Resupply**: None
- **Camping**: @poi[Dispersed camping at Gold Butte Townsite](121098286).  
#
**Day 2**
- **Mileage**: 50 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 3900 ft.
- **Description**: Head downhill and get some water at @poi[Horse Springs](121098276).  Then head down and into the @poi[Grand Canyon-Parashant](121098312).  Wind north and stop at @poi[Pakoon Spring](121098275).  Then, it's a big climb up to @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278) for water. Push on and continue to a dispersed camping spot at the base of @poi[Red Pockets Mountain](121098313).   
- **Water**: @poi[Horse Spring](121098276), @poi[Pakoon Spring](121098275), @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278)
- **Resupply**: None
- **Camping**: @poi[Dispersed camping](121098313) at the bottom of the climb to Lime Kiln Pass near Red Pockets Mountain.
#
**Day 3**
- **Mileage**: 48 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 4600 ft.
- **Description**: Do the crux climb up and over the Virgin Mountains at @poi[Lime Kiln Pass](121098305).  Then, descend to @poi[Mesquite, N](121098295)V for some excellent burritos and food!  Ride pavement along the Virgin River before a big climb on soft dirt/sand back up to @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098296) and the finish.   
- **Water**: @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098294) and @poi[Government Spring](134829111)
- **Resupply**: Mesquite, NV at @poi[La Mexicano Grocery Store Market](121098295) for some excellent food.  Get water too!
- **Camping**: Finish!  Camp at @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098283) if you want to spend the night at the finish.
# 
## *4 Day Itinerary*

**Day 1**

- **Mileage**: 33 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 2700 ft.
- **Description**: Make today about side-hikes and exploration.  Leave your car at @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098296) and head south to the @poi[Devil's Throat](121098281) before joining @point[Mud Wash](d,20588.17).  Take a side-hike out to @poi[Little Finland](121098300) and take another side-hike at @poi[Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon](121098284).  End the day biking up to @poi[Gold Butte Townsite](121098286) where there are plenty of spots to dispersed camp.  
- **Water**: Carry enough to last you 24 hours. @poi[Granite Spring](121098301) at Gold Butte Townsite may have water but is unreliable.
- **Resupply**: None
- **Camping**: @poi[Dispersed camping at Gold Butte Townsite](121098286).  
#
**Day 2**
- **Mileage**: 40 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 3300 ft.
- **Description**: Head downhill and get some water at @poi[Horse Spring](121098276).  Then head down and into the @poi[Grand Canyon-Parashant](121098312).  Wind north and stop at P@poi[akoon Springs](121098275).  Then, it's a big climb up to @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278) for water. Tent camp here by calling ahead and letting them know you are a bikepacker.   
- **Water**: @poi[Horse Spring](121098276), @poi[Pakoon Spring](121098275), @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278)
- **Resupply**: None
- **Camping**: @poi[Tent camping is available for cyclists at Aravada Springs](121098278) if they call beforehand and complete the requisite permission forms. See the section “Camping” for more information.
#
**Day 3**
- **Mileage**: 27 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 1900 ft.
- **Description**: Take a late morning enjoying @poi[Aravada Springs](121098278). Then head out and explore the @poi[Gibson-Jones ghost ranch](121098277) and do some side hiking at @poi[Red Rock Cove](134866515) near the base of @poi[Red Pocket Mountain](121098291). Do the crux climb up and over the Virgin Mountains at @poi[Lime Kiln Pass](121098305).  Then, descend to @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098295) for some excellent burritos and food!  Either spend the night dispersed outside of town on BLM land or grab lodging in town.   
- **Water**: @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098294)
- **Resupply**: Mesquite, NV at @poi[La Mexicano Grocery Store Market](121098295) for some excellent food.  Get water too!
- **Camping**: @poi[Dispersed camping on BLM land](134933950) outside of Mesquite, NV or get lodging in town
#
**Day 4**
- **Mileage**: 30 Miles
- **Elevation Gain**: 3300 ft.
- **Description**: Ride pavement along the @poi[Virgin River](121098316) before a big climb on soft dirt/sand back up to @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098296) and the finish.   
- **Water**: @poi[Mesquite, NV](121098295) and @poi[Government Spring](134829111)
- **Resupply**: None
- **Camping**: Finish!  Camp at @poi[Whitney Pocket](121098283) if you want to spend the night at the finish.

Gold to Grand Loop

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Route Details

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