Billy Goat Peak in Gold Butte National Monument, NV

Hike Billy Goat Peak Gold Butte National Monument, NV

Class 3 2.4 miles 1200 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
Directions
Route Map
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Apr 27, 2019 — Billy Goat Peak was an addition to my visit to Gold Butte National Monument. It was surprisingly fun and not a bushwhack like I thought it could be from how it appeared from below. From the end of a dirt road called Billy Goat Peak Road, I headed along the grassy ridge headed south, going over a false summit bump before dropping down and making the Class 2/3 ridge scramble to the summit. I recommend sticking to the right of the ridge crest on the way up the peak to avoid a hassle of rock fins, but once you get to the last few hundred feet, stick to the crest itself for the fun scramble section. Alternatively, the route can be made easier but less pleasantby keeping to the left (east) of the ridge to the summit. There were great views toward Whitney Pocket to the west, Virgin Peak to the north, and the open desert to the south.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Billy Goat Peak
5735 ft
896 rise

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From the small parking area, looking south toward the ridgeline.
From the small parking area, looking south toward the ridgeline.
Looking back toward my car.
Looking back toward my car.
Pretty grasses along the ridge.
Pretty grasses along the ridge.
There is a hill along the ridgeline, seen on the right.
There is a hill along the ridgeline, seen on the right.
Approaching the hill, Billy Goat Peak visible top left.
Approaching the hill, Billy Goat Peak visible top left.
Some Class 2 stuff along the way.
Some Class 2 stuff along the way.
Heading down from the hill toward Billy Goat Peak.
Heading down from the hill toward Billy Goat Peak.
Image 7 from gallery
Approaching the Class 2 stuff headed up Billy Goat Peak. I kept just right of the ridge crest to avoid some annoying loose rock and vegetation.
Approaching the Class 2 stuff headed up Billy Goat Peak. I kept just right of the ridge crest to avoid some annoying loose rock and vegetation.
Image 9 from gallery
Approaching the Class 3 butte ahead.
Approaching the Class 3 butte ahead.
Class 3 section. Avoidable on the left, but it's a less fun alternative.
Class 3 section. Avoidable on the left, but it's a less fun alternative.
Looking down the Class 3 section.
Looking down the Class 3 section.
Virgin Peak visible in the center.
Virgin Peak visible in the center.
False summit.
False summit.
Billy Goat Peak true summit, looking back toward the false summit.
Billy Goat Peak true summit, looking back toward the false summit.
Close-up of Whitney Pocket to the northwest.
Close-up of Whitney Pocket to the northwest.
View east.
View east.
Image 18 from gallery
Nicer lighting on the way down.
Nicer lighting on the way down.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

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