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.

Following the Arrowhead Trail north, by about 0.7 miles out, hikers will notice an old road scar cutting straight up the side of a ridge ahead on the right. At the base of the road scar, and old diesel engine sits just below the old high-water mark. For those interested in visiting this old item of historical interest, when getting close, a wash crosses the old Arrowhead Highway.

At about 0.8 miles out, hikers can leave the road and hike northeast up the wash the old Caterpillar diesel engine (Wpt. 04), which sits silently on the north edge of the wash.

It looks like someone hauled the engine to just high enough to prevent the lake from swallowing it, but then abandoned it to the ages. It is possible that the very highest waters of Lake Mead covered the engine. While there, notice the pile of old rubber belts.

After the old engine, hikers can turn west and return to the Arrowhead Highway. The slopes below the engine are covered with loose, rounded river rocks from which finer sediments were washed away by lake waters, so watch your step carefully.