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Devil’s Throat at Gold Butte National Monument

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This page last updated on 03/18/2018

EFP-P1090241
(Fig. 01)
03/14/2018 Trip Notes: Today's trip here was very disappointing. Even though I didn't take any pictures, a new four and a half feet high chain linked fence had been placed all the way around the sink hole, more than 12 feet back from the edges of the hole, preventing anyone from getting a view of as to how big or deep the hole is.

01/09/2015 Trip Notes: Driving south on the unpaved portion of Gold Butte Byway Road, about 7 miles past Whitney Pocket you come to a short spur road that heads west to Devil’s Throat. This short road is so washed out in places that it requires a high clearance vehicle. Definitely not a ‘daytrip’ destination by itself, this large sinkhole in the middle of this vast desert expanse makes for an interesting stop. The view in (Fig. 01) is looking west towards the Bitter Ridge and Lime Ridge mountains. Nearly 200 feet wide and 100 feet deep, this completely natural hole in the earth almost looks like it may have been intentionally dug out (Fig. 02). Its walls are very much straight up and down, and the base is relatively flat, with 90 degree angles where the walls hit the floor. It was formed by underground water movement a few decades ago. Over the millennia, underground water movement created a large limestone cavern that continued to expand until the weight of its ceiling could no longer be supported, causing it to collapse. The resulting hole is impressive. A fence surrounds the hole for safety, yet must be relocated occasionally as the hole continues to erode and grow. Because its edges are so unstable, I had to tether myself to the surrounding fence in order to get close enough to capture the picture in (Fig. 02). The view in (Fig. 03) is looking northeast from the parking area towards Billy Goat Peak and the Whitney Ridge.

                                      
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(Fig. 02)
EFP-Devil's Throat Panoramic
(Fig. 03)