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Mt. Irish Archeological District - Shaman Knob Trail
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Mt. Irish Archeological District - Shaman Knob
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Shaman Knob
Marker style used at Shaman Hill

Overview

Shaman Knob is one of the four main areas in the Mt. Irish Archeological District and consists of an isolated boulder pile with grand views to the east. Native peoples lived here and etched an extensive array of petroglyphs on the rocks. The BLM placed four numbered markers around the site, and the BLM and Lincoln County each produced brochures describing the numbered petroglyph panels (BLM brochure; Lincoln County brochure).

Described here is the short trail the runs around Shaman Knob visiting each of the four numbered sites. Details of the location, access routes, and GPS coordinates are presented on the Mt. Irish Archeological District page.

Link to Area Map or Site Map.

Shaman Knob
Shaman Knob sign-in register (view N from trailhead parking)

The Hike

The sign-in register (Table 1, Site SK-Register) is adjacent to the parking area, and from the register, Marker #1 (Site SK-01) is 4-5 yards to the left almost hidden from view behind bushes. From the sign-in register, walk west up the road a few paces, then pick up the Shaman Knob Trail and walk back towards Marker #1, which is plainly visible from the road. From Marker #1, facing Shaman Knob, Site 1 is spread out in the view to the north. On the left skyline is a boulder with "sideways petroglyphs." Why sideways petroglyphs? -- because the boulder broke off and fell over, rotating about 90-degrees to the left.

Directly behind Marker #1 (3 ft back) is a low boulder marked with a petroglyph. A bit to the right, a shady cave invites warm-day hikers so seek refuge from the sun, just as it did for the ladies who used the "bench" in the cave for a grinding stone. The rock face above is also well covered in rock stories.

Shaman Knob
Shaman Knob sign-in register (view N from roadway)

From Marker #1, the trail runs northeast a few yards into a gap between the two halves of Shaman Knob. Departing Marker #1, a small metal sign with a directional arrow indicates that the trail continues straight into the gap.

In the gap, a petroglyph panel on the left is indicated by Marker #2. Site 2 includes several petroglyphs, but the fat sheep is unusual.

Continuing through the gap, the trail wraps around to the left, where Marker #3 quickly becomes apparent. Facing south, Site 3 includes a nice example of a Petroglyph Man and two painted (pictographs) red lines (actually three, but two are obvious).

Shaman Knob
sign-in register (view N from roadway)

From Site 3, hikers turn around to face north and see Marker #4. Site 4 includes one smaller boulder that is marked on the south and north sides. Walking around the right side of the boulder, hikers naturally turn left to see the backside of the boulder. However, be sure to also look right (east). The gnarly pinyon growing atop a boulder pile shades some additional petroglyphs at an unnumbered Site NE.

Continuing past Site 4, the trail runs west along the north side of Shaman Knob to the road, which is followed back left to the trailhead.

Although not on the trail, note that Shaman Knob is composed of two boulder piles, and the trail wraps around the west half. On the southeast corner of the east half, a large pinyon pine conceals another nice petroglyph panel (Site SE).

Shaman Knob
Sign-in register; Marker #1 hiding in the bushes (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Marker #1 hiding in the bushes (view NW from sign-in register)
Shaman Knob
The trail actually starts just west of the sign-in register (view E)
Shaman Knob
Most of Site 1 is visible here (view NW from near register)
site 1
Marker #1
Shaman Knob
Site 1: Petroglyph behind Marker #1 (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 1, west edge and Sideways Boulder (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 1: Sideways Boulder (view N)
Shaman Knob
Site 1, upper wall (view N)
Shaman Knob
Site 1, upper wall (view N)
Shaman Knob
Site 1, right side; shelter site (view N)
Shaman Knob
Site 1: Grinding slicks on bench inside rock shelter (view N)
Shaman KnobTrail continues from Marker #1, past directional arrow, to Marker #2 Shaman Knob
The trail runs into a gap between the boulders (view E)
Shaman Knob
Approaching Marker #2 (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 2: petroglyph wall (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 2: petroglyphs (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Continuing past Marker #2 (view NE)
Shaman Knob
Approaching the second directional arrow (view N)
Shaman Knob
Directional arrow: continue straight, but stay left (view N)
Shaman Knob
Looping behind Shaman Knob, Marker #3 becomes visible (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Marker #3 and Site 3: Pahranagat Man petroglyph (view S)
Shaman Knob
Site 3: Petroglyphs and pictographs (view SW)
Shaman Knob
Continuing from Marker #3, Marker #4 is visible (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Approaching Marker #4 (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 4: petroglyphs (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Trail continues around to other side of the Site 4 boulder (view W)
Shaman Knob
Trail continues around to other side of the Site 4 boulder (view NW)
Shaman Knob
Site 4: shady side of the boulder with petroglyphs (view S)
Shaman Knob
Site 4: elk petroglyph (view S)
Shaman Knob
Before continuing, detour to pinyon pine (view E)
Shaman Knob
Nice petroglyphs in the shade of the pine (view S)
Shaman Knob
Petroglyphs in the shade of the pine (view S)
Shaman Knob
Very faint Pahranagat Man petroglyph in shade of pine (view S)
Shaman Knob
Beneath pinyon pine, returning back to Site 4 (view W)
Shaman Knob
Returning back to Site 4 (view W)
Shaman Knob
Trail continues past Site 4 (view W)
Shaman Knob
Trail continues around Shaman Knob (view SW)
Shaman Knob
Trail approaching the access road (view SW)
Shaman Knob
Trail merges onto the access road (view SW)
Shaman Knob
Trail runs on access road (view S)
Shaman Knob
Be sure to notice shelter site on the way back to the trailhead
Shaman Knob
Shelter site (view NE)
Shaman Knob
Trail returning to the trailhead (view SE)
Shaman Knob
Back to the start of the loop trail (view E)
Shaman Knob
Arriving back at the sign-in register (view SE)

Table 1. Hiking Coordinates based on GPS data (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Hiking GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Waypoint Location Easting Northing Elevation Verified
SK-Register Shaman Knob Sign-in Register 643217 4163199 5,725 GPS
SK-01 Shaman Knob Marker #1 (est) 643220 4163211 5,733 GPS
SK-02 Shaman Knob Marker #2 643236 4163214 5,727 GPS
SK-03 Shaman Knob Marker #3 643236 4163225 5,719 GPS
SK-04 Shaman Knob Marker #4 643235 4163231 5,721 GPS

Note: SK = Shaman Knob

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240323

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