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US-93N Towards Pioche & Spring Valley State Park: From petroglyph sites to abandoned ghost towns, there are dozens of unique hiking locations along this stretch of highway. Though some can be visited as daytrips from Las Vegas, I think it best to combine more than one and turn them into a roadtrip. The entire area has a long history of habitation by ancient peoples, with evidence dating back more than a 1,000 years in some places. I have been able to find evidence of petroglyphs and pictographs in nearly every place I’ve visited. Either Spring Valley State Park, located beyond Pioche, or Kershaw-Ryan State Park just south of Caliente, are excellent places to camp when turning some of these into a roadtrip. Motels are available in both Caliente and Pioche. Click any of the titles below for more pictures and detailed descriptions of the location.
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 Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge: Located at the southern end of the Pahranagat Valley just 90-miles north of Las Vegas, this 5,300 acre National Wildlife Refuge stretches about 10 miles in a narrow strip along the valley floor, encompassing 2 lakes, 2 large marshes, several smaller wetlands and the surrounding desert uplands. It falls within the Pacific Flyway, making it a high quality wintering and migration habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The name Pahranagat is Paiute and means "a valley of shining waters". This oasis of water and trees in the desert, provides outstanding photographic opportunities not only for wildlife, but desert sunsets, scenic mountains and spring wildflowers. This is also the location of the Black Canyon Petroglyph site. Hiking, Rock-hounding, Birding and Photography |
 Shooting Gallery Game Drive District Rock Art Site Located in the middle of the Pahranagat Valley just 90-miles north of Las Vegas, the Shooting Gallery Rock Art Site derives its name from archeological evidence that early pre-historic inhabitants created a system of rock arrangements and hunting blinds to channel game towards hunters. The rock art found here is representative of the three distinct styles found within the Pahranagat Valley: The Great Basin Abstract Style, that is predominately abstract symbols (circles, grids, etc,); the Pahranagat Representational Style (bighorn sheep, deer and anthromorphs with rectangular bodies and solidly pecked out bodies and heads); and the Fremont Representational Style, that resembles the classic trapezoidal bodied anthromorphs and quadrupeds.Receiving plenty of annual rainfall, this area provides outstanding photographic opportunities not only for wildlife, but desert sunsets, scenic mountains and spring wildflowers. Hiking, Rock-hounding, Birding and Photography |
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 Ash Springs Rock Art Site: The Ash Springs Rock Art Site is a relatively small area of lightly desert-varnished boulders on a low hill overlooking the verdant Pahranagat Valley. The site is predominantly a habitation site comprised of two high intensity areas of domestic activity and includes 12 semicircular cobblestone alignments along with associated lithic (stone tools) material. The site also extends to the top of an eastern situated hill known as "Shaman's Vista" Typical of many Great Basin rock art sites, the Petroglyphs found here are engraved; etched onto rockfaces by pecking, abrading, scratching or a combination of these techniques. All petroglyphs at Ash Springs are pecked and display a wide range of line widths. Hiking and Photography |
 Crystal Wash Rock Art Site - Summary: The Crystal Wash Rock Art Site is a desert area filled with many desert varnished boulders that are partially surrounded by the sandy Crystal Wash that runs through the middle of the Hiko Mountain Range, on the east side of the range. It is located off U.S. Route 93, 3.7 miles from the intersection of State Route 375, State Route 318 and U.S. Route 93 (the "Y"). Most of the rock art panels here contain elements that appear to be non-representational, although they probably had a specific meaning to those who created them. There are some panels and elements that contain clearly recognizable images, such as zoomorphs with quadrupeds and anthropomorphs of human figures. Hiking and Photography |
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 Delamar Ghost Town: Stark stone walls, weathered timbers and rusted metal are about all that mark the remains of this 123 year old mining town. Within six years of the discovery of gold here in 1889, the settlement boasted more than 1,500 residents and had a hospital, an opera house, churches, a school, several businesses and saloons. Because the gold here sat under quartzite, its extraction unleashed miniscule dust particles that caused silicosis — a horrifying disease where every breath brings sharp, crystallized pain. It caused so many deaths, that the town became known as The Widowmaker. Hiking, Rock-hounding and Photography |
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 Kershaw-Ryan State Park: Located two miles south of Caliente via U.S. 93 and SR-317, Kershaw-Ryan State Park is situated in a colorful, scenic canyon at the northern end of Rainbow Canyon in eastern Nevada. Steep canyon walls tower to 700 feet and overlook a long, narrow valley. Early settlers in the area cultivated a garden of grape vines, fruit trees and a grass lawn surrounding a spring-fed pond, providing a beautiful contrast to the rugged landscape. Today tables and grills are scattered through the ancient oak trees at the top of the park and along the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. In addition to a children’s wading pool, playground, group-use area, there are several trails that offer visitors nature study, photography, picnicking and hiking. The park has a new 15-unit RV/tent campground. Hiking, Rock-hounding, Birding and Photography |
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 Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive: Rainbow Canyon is situated between the Delamar Mountains to the west and the Clover Mountains to the east. Following the Meadow Valley Wash, the canyon is quite deep and steep, lying nearly three thousand feet below the higher peaks of the surrounding mountains.This drive is a relaxing and enjoyable ride along a paved road that offers nearly a dozen stops along it 21-mile scenic journey. Hiking, Rock-hounding, Birding and Photography |
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 Cathedral Gorge State Park: Cathedral Gorge is located in a long, narrow valley where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay. Trails abound for exploring the cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires. Miller Point, a scenic overlook just north of the park entrance on U.S. 93, offers excellent views of the scenic canyon. Shaded picnic areas and a tree-shaded campground area are open all year. Hiking, picnicking, camping, nature study, photography and ranger programs are the most common activities at the park. Hiking and Photography |
 Caliente, Nevada: Other than a few historic houses and the old Historic Railroad Depot which contains a Library and Art Museum, along with the town’s City Hall, there really really isn’t much to see or do in Caliente. The most interesting stop is at the historic railroad depot and the Boxcar Museum adjacent to the station that houses memorabilia and photos documenting Caliente’s railroad history. Photography |
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 Pioche NV - Summary Visit Page: Far from its glory days as a lawless mining camp, today this town is as tranquil as the desert that surrounds it. With its picturesque mountainside setting, you can spend hours wandering up and down its curving streets, looking at many deserted buildings, historic sites and the dark holes and tailings piles of the now silent mines that stare down on the town from “Treasure Hill” above the town. There are nearly a half-dozen tailings piles around the mines on Treasure Hill above the town that beckon exploration. Hiking, Rock-hounding and Photography |
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 Spring Valley State Park: About three and a half hours from Las Vegas, the park is located about 18 miles northeast of Pioche on State Route 322, around the shores of the Eagle Valley Reservoir, Spring Valley State Park offers camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, and hiking, With its elevation, summer temperatures are in the mid 80’s and get down to the mid 40’s at night. Even if you don’t camp here, there are several hiking trails offering beautiful valley views that are worth taking. Hiking, Rock-hounding, Birding and Photography |
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