Round Trip Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5128 - 5141 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Mount Irish MM 6.9
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs
The Mount Irish Archaeological District is located just north of Crystal Springs in Lincoln County, Nevada. Comprising 640 acres the district protects eleven major rock art sites as well as other items of archaeological interest such as rock shelters and middens. Most of the sites can be reached with a short hike from the main road that passes through the area.
From the junction of SR 375 and SR 318 at Crystal Springs drive north on SR 318 for about 3 miles looking on the west side of the highway for the road with a wire gate in this photo. There is a brown carbonite BLM marker on the left side of the road but other than that there are no other signs at present. Some maps and mapping software might show this as the old Logan City Road.
Around the 6.5 mile point from the highway the road passes between the unmarked sites I and II. Less than a half mile past that point take the left fork at the first sign for the Mount Irish Archaeological District.
A short distance down the left fork there will be another brown carbonite marker on the left side of the road at Site III. There is no where to park other than in the middle of the road but fortunately the area gets very few visitors so chances are you won't be in anyone's way. The petroglyphs are just across the wash about a hundred yards away.
Heading toward the outcropping boulders on the south side of the wash petroglyphs can be found on both sides of the juniper tree in the photo.
We outlined a few of the images on our computer that are so faded that most detail is lost.
The petroglyphs on the left side of the tree are in considerably better condition.
One panel has a few bighorn sheep as well as a variety of geometric figures.
What we are calling the main panel is spread out over a group of tightly fitted boulders.
This seems to be a rather unique style even for geometric designs.
We'v seen storks with frogs in their beaks and with dragonflies in their beaks and his one that is just standing there.
