birdandhike.com logo
Home | Wilderness | Hiking | Gold Butte
Gentry Ranch Route - Return to the Trailhead
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Gold Butte National Monument
Gentry Ranch Area
Gentry Ranch
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.

Gentry Ranch
Virgin River (upstream; view W)
Gentry Ranch
Virgin River (downstream; view E)
Gentry Ranch
Virgin River hits the rocky cliffs (downstream; view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Virgin River abuts the rocky cliffs (downstream; view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Rocky cliff at edge of the river (view W)
Gentry Ranch
The broken cliffs are solid (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Approaching a bit of easier terrain (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
With hiking poles, this is not as bad as it looks (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
A small ponds and easy walking (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Sandy bank of the Virgin River (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Rocky bank of the Virgin River (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Muddy bank of the Virgin River (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Route departs the river and heads towards base of cliffs (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Route approaching an old river channel along base of cliffs (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Route follows old river channel along base of cliffs (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Route follows old river channel along base of cliffs (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Route in old river channel approaches gauging station (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Route follows cow-trail out of the river channel (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Back above the mud cliffs (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Returning to the gauging station (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Gentry Ranch Route (view S)
Gentry Ranch
Route follows the old road (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
The cows know where to go; stay left towards road grader (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Leaving the old roads towards the road grader (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Approaching the road grader (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Turning past the road grader (view E)
Gentry Ranch
Recrossing the gully (view S)
Gentry Ranch
One illegal road, route turns right to stay along the river (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Route returns to the old road (view SW)
Gentry Ranch
Approaching the next washout, the old road detours left (view S)
Gentry Ranch
At intersection of illegal roads, route stays right towards the river
Gentry Ranch
Passing the last view of the flood plain from above the mud cliffs
Gentry Ranch
Route continues on the closed road (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Returning back towards the trailhead, vehicles might be visible
Gentry Ranch
Old road approaching the short-cut (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Again, the cow know where to go (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Approaching the post-and-cable fence (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
Returning to the post-and-cable fence (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
The route returns up VRL Road (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
VRL Road approaching the trailhead (view SE)
Gentry Ranch
VRL Road returning to the trailhead (view SE)

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240325

Hiking Around Gold Butte Hiking Around Las Vegas Glossary Copyright, Conditions, Disclaimer Home
Google Ads