21 Goats Panel | Gold Butte National Monument

Hiking 21 Goats Panel - Gold Butte National Monument Hiking 21 Goats Panel

Gold Butte National Monument

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike

Fri

Partly sunny. High near 96, with temperatures falling to around 93 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 3 to 9 mph.

96 | 71

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 93. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.

93 | 68

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 88.

88 | 64

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SEASON: Any, hot in summers.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Fri

Partly sunny. High near 96, with temperatures falling to around 93 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 3 to 9 mph.

96 | 71

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 93. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.

93 | 68

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 88.

88 | 64

View Full Weather Details
21 Goat Panel

21 Goat Panel

21 Goats Panel, near Black Butte Dam, is a short hike and a very interesting panel to visit. The straightforward navigation, and short distance makes this a family friendly outing. Our 3-year-old enjoyed the hike as much or more than we did.

I am not sure the history of the panel. Aside from mountain goats found at much higher elevations, domestic goats were not found in North America until a few were introduced in the 1500’s by Spanish explorers. Goats would not have been widely distributed across the US until much later. My guess is, the depiction is of desert sheep, common to the area. The panel has more than 21 of the figures in the panel, with many in a line. It is interesting to note a few are facing in the opposite direction of the rest of the line. It is an extensive panel and must have been a place of frequent gathering. Maybe the area was good hunting for desert sheep? Or a group had happened upon an exceptionally large group of sheep here one time? The true meaning is something lost to time, but fascinating to ponder.

Note: Reaching the trailhead requires high clearance. There is not great camping near the trailhead, but many great sites near the main Gold Butte Road and Whitney Pocket.
Historical Note: Black Butte Dam, near the trailhead, was created by the Civilian Conservation Corp back in the 1930’s to capture water for ranchers. Today, the dam has mostly filled with sediment and even when full, is quite shallow. If visiting the 21 Goat Panel, be sure to make the short side trip to visit the dam. It is an interesting piece of history.
Close up of part of the 21 Goats Panel

Close up of part of the 21 Goats Panel

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