Overview

The Mt. Irish Archeological District is a large area with many boulder piles and low bands of cliffs covered with petroglyphs. Shaman Hill is the largest of the public petroglyph sites in the district and consists of many boulders and rock outcrops on the east end of a ridge. Native peoples etched an extensive array of nice petroglyphs into the rocks. The BLM placed eight numbered markers around the site, and the BLM and Lincoln County each produced brochures describing the numbered petroglyph panels (BLM brochure; Lincoln County brochure).

The parking area between Shaman Knob and Shaman Hill is one of the better campsites in the area (see Shaman Knob).

While visiting this site, please take care of the area and leave it as you found it for the enjoyment of future generations.

Link to Site Map.

Location

The Mt. Irish Archeological District is located in the Pahranagat Valley, about 110 miles north of Las Vegas. Details of the location, access routes, and GPS coordinates are presented on the Mt. Irish Archeological District page.

The Hike

From the Shaman Hill sign-in register (Table 1, Site SH-Register) the short trail leads downhill a few yards northwest towards Shaman Hill. As the trail passes between two Utah Juniper trees, a small metal sign (a directional arrow pointing left) becomes visible ahead to the left. This arrow marks the beginning of the Southbound Trail, which leads left to Sites 6-8.

Staying right past the first directional arrow and continuing towards Shaman Hill, Marker #1 comes into view. On the approach, hikers look past Marker #1 directly towards Site 2; however, Site 1 is to the left from the Marker #1.

Facing Shaman Hill while standing at Marker #1 (Site SH-01), a large Pahranagat Man petroglyph is visible up the hill on the left. This is the main feature at Site 1. Higher up, there are nice petroglyphs on the red, north-facing wall, but they are harder to get to.

After exploring the rocks at Site 1, hikers return to Marker #1, from which the south face of Site 2 is clearly visible, but Marker #2 (Site SH-02) is to the right behind the juniper trees in this view. There are some unusual top-down views of bighorn sheep here.

Continuing north on the trail, a directional arrow indicates that the trail continues along the base of the cliffs. Marker #2 (Site SH-02) quickly comes into view on the left at the base of the rocks. The east face of Site 2 has a number of bighorn sheep and other curious petroglyphs. The rock face to the right also has petroglyphs.

Continuing north past Marker #2 along the base of the wall, the trail is faint, but another directional arrow helps keep hikers on the trail. Immediately past the directional arrow, in an alcove in the cliffs on the left, Marker #3 (Site SH-03) comes into view in the base of a rocky gully. Site 3 includes petroglyphs just behind the marker and farther up the rocky gully. Perhaps the best ones are just beneath the overhanging boulder that caps the Site 3 gully.

Backing out of Site 3, the trail continues north along the base of the crags, passing some unnumbered petroglyphs on the north corner of the Site 3 alcove. The trail arrives at another directional arrow, and the trail continues towards a lone pinyon pine. Site 4 is in another alcove in the cliffs, but this alcove is more open and deeper, and the site is a little harder to find. Immediately past the directional arrow, there are more petroglyphs on low, unnumbered boulders on the left.

Approaching the pinyon pine, watch ahead on the left for three large boulders that sit atop a low ridge of rock. In the right light, the right-most rock looks like a baseball mitt from this perspective. The boulders stand above Marker #4 (Site SH-04). Site 4 includes petroglyphs on the rock wall on the right side of the alcove during the approach, and petroglyphs behind the marker, including two bighorn sheep inside the baseball mitt.

Backing out of Site 4, the trail continues north along the base of the crags. This time the hike is longer, and 4 directional arrows mark the way. From the second arrow, the trail bends left and Pahranagat Woman is visible on the hillside in the distance. The trail is faint, so if things seem confusing, stay off the boulders and continue northwest to a wash. In the wash, turn upstream to Marker #5 (Site SH-05), on a boulder on the left edge of the wash. The Pahranagat Woman petroglyph (Site 5) is visible from the wash, or it is a fairly easy scramble up the rocks to see her close-up.

When done here, backtrack to Marker #1 (Site SH-01). It is easier to stay in the wash a little farther, then turn south staying out a bit from the base of the rocky hill. Before long, Shaman Knob comes into view, giving hikers clear indication of where to find the trailhead. Back at Marker #1, continue south on the South Trail to visit Site 6, Site 7, and Site 8, or just return to the trailhead.