 |
| (Fig. 01) The Pahrump Valley Winery |
Geology and Climate: Pahrump is an unincorporated town in Nye County, Nevada, United States. As of 2010 the population was 22,441, making it the largest settlement in the county. Pahrump, Nevada is located west of Las Vegas in the southeast corner of Nye County. It is bordered by the Spring Mountain range to the north east and the Nopah Mountain range to the south west. Pahrump has a total area of 297.9 sq miles. Summers in Pahrump are generally hot and dry, with occasional pushes of monsoonal moisture beginning in early July. Being at a similar elevation to Las Vegas, daytime highs in summer average within a few degrees of Las Vegas.
History: Pahrump was originally inhabited by the Southern Paiute. It was slowly inhabited by settlers in the late 19th century. They reportedly chose the name for Pahrump after the original indigenous name Pah-Rimpi, or "Water Rock," so named because of the abundant artesian wells in the valley. Because of the artesian wells, the new inhabitants of Pahrump Valley began a number of large ranch-style holdings, mostly over 1000 acres in size. On the ranches, alfalfa and cotton were grown, and livestock were raised. However, as Las Vegas grew, real estate speculation became more popular in the area, which led to increased interest in Pahrump. The rapid growth of Las Vegas sparked interest in Pahrump’s real estate during the late 1960s. Until the 1960s, Pahrump had no telephone service except a radio transmitter phone in a phone booth next to the small market, and there were no paved roads in or out of the Pahrump Valley. This led to the introduction of telephone service and the construction of a paved highway, from Las Vegas to Pahrump, during the late 1960s. Later, this road (NV 160) was extended from Pahrump northward to US 95, near Amargosa Valley. A second paved road (NV 372) was introduced that went from Pahrump to neighboring Shoshone, California, which provided a link to the Death Valley area, as well as a shorter route to those wishing to travel to Los Angeles or other areas in California. Since the late 1970's, Pahrump has grown exponentially, increasing from approximately 2,000 residents in 1980 to 22,441 in 2010. A wealthy Las Vegas casino owner, Ted Binion, buried a large treasure of silver in a secret underground vault in Pahrump. In 1998, Binion died under suspicious circumstances, and one of the parties accused of murdering Binion was apprehended while digging up the vault in Pahrump. Much of its urban features are visible from Highway 160 – five bright casinos, plus the local coffee houses and tasting rooms at the Pahrump Valley Winery and Sanders Family Winery are busier than ever. There is a museum just west of downtown Pahrump. Modern day Pahrump is one of the fastest growing communities in the west.
 |
| (Fig. 02) Sanders Family Winery |
 |
| (Fig. 03) Pahrump Museum |
Points of Interest: I have either visited or passed through Pahrump on many occasions. Either visiting its two vineries, the Pahrump winery [
Pahrump Valley Winery] or the Sanders winery [
Sanders Family Winery], or its excellent museum [
Pahrump Museum]. You actually have to pass through Pahrump on your way to Ash Meadows [
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Area], or Death Valley National Park [
Death Valley National Park]. I've also done several 4-wheeling and hiking trips up into the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area (SMNRA) such as Wheeler Pass [
Wheeler Pass Road], Trout Canyon [
Carpenter Canyon Fire- Atermath] and the Lovell Canyon area [
Lovell Canyon Spring Mountains].
 |
| (Fig. 04) Lovell Canyon |
 |
| (Fig. 05) Wheeler Pass Road |
 |
| (Fig. 06) Trout Canyon |
