Gold Butte’s beauty deserves protection

By Ace Acosta, North Las Vegas

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 | 2 a.m.

On a crisp Sunday morning the Sierra Club, Friends of Gold Butte and several members of the Moapa Band of Paiutes gathered near the entrance of Gold Butte, with one of the Paiute members leading a blessing before the hike.

Driving down the trail we caught sight of a hawk elegantly soaring in the distance. It was a sign of the awesome day ahead. Midway through the drive we stopped to take in the remote vastness of Gold Butte — 350,000 acres of rugged mountains, Joshua and Mojave yucca trees, and vibrant-colored sandstone, equally worthy of protecting as Red Rock.

The Old Spanish trail runs through Gold Butte, a historic trade route traversed by Spanish explorers as early as the late 16th century connecting New Mexican settlements to Los Angeles. Exploring Gold Butte, I was able to learn more about my Mexican-American roots, an experience I think everyone in Las Vegas should have.

Finally, we arrived at the destination of our hike and prepared to set off. On the trail we passed large, beautiful Joshua trees the likes of which I’d never seen before. The first stop up the trail we observed petroglyphs. A plethora of ancient knowledge covered the scattered boulders, telling stories left to be interpreted. The Moapa Band of Paiutes chairman was awestruck, as this was his first time seeing these magnificent “rock stories.”

Gold Butte offers such alluring geological features, majestic wildlife, meaningful and intriguing history, and timeless solitude. All worth protecting for future generations to explore and enjoy.