White River Narrows VI

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4577 - 4590 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Upper White River Narrows
Fee: none
Attractions: Hundreds of petroglyphs

The White River Narrows Archaeological District is located just north of Hiko, Nevada between Crystal Springs and Ely along Nevada Highway 318. The district has 6 sites scattered throughout the narrows where petroglyphs, dating from 4,000 years ago up to Fremont times and the nineteenth century, have been carved into the soft sandstone and volcanic tuff that makes up most of the cliffs of the winding canyon. Due to its importance as an archaeological resource the district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

To reach Site VI drive 20 miles north of Hiko or 109 miles south of Ely on Nevada 318. If coming from Hiko watch for a turnoff on the left right where the highway comes out of the narrows. After passing through a gate the route heads north with the cliffs on the left and the highway a short distance away on the right.

Continue along the dirt road for about 8 tenths of a mile to where a fence can be seen on the left that protects the petroglyphs

There are so many petroglyphs at Site VI that a person would surely get cross eyed trying to count them all.

When the images reach the end of the cliff that faces the road they continue by wrapping on around the corner.

They even keep going up the somewhat steep talus slope heading away from the road.

Unfortunately many of the most intricate details have worn away over the millenia.

Just like the other sites in the district the images that are the closest to the ground have mostly disappeared making the ones higher up all that can be seen easily.

When they ran out of room down below they scaled the cliff to continue their message.

It would be interesting to see photos taken 50 years ago to judge how quickly the images are disappearing. It is a little like looking at an ancient parchment like the Dead Sea Scrolls where fragment are missing. The difference here being that the medium is rock covered with a thin patina coating.

A single monster sized hand.

There are so many petroglyphs at Site VI that it reminds you of someone that has been covered with tattoos from head to toe with hardly a bare spot remaining. It is worth visiting just to marvel at the sheer number of images. Perhaps this was a place where people gathered for an annual festival and each year they had more and more of their story to relate. As easy as Site VI is to get to it would be a shame to pass it up if you are already in the area to see the other sites. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.