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Very Important: The driving directions to this site have not been updated since late 2006 There is an excellent chance that the roads and/or road conditions have changed significantly. Contact the BLM, Forest Service, Park Service or whomever, to get the most up-to-date road and trail information. |
General information:
A little bit of history: Mt. Irish appears to have been inhabited from around 3000 BP (1000 BC) to around the 1860's when silver miners came into the area. The miners stayed, forming the town of Logan and even getting a post office in 1867. By 1869 the miners had moved on to new diggings near Pioche.
Rock Art Guide: I highly recommend that you get from either the Ely BLM office (775) 289-1800, or from one of the kiosks at Mt. Irish, the "Mount Irish Rock Art Trail Guide". You can also click here to download the complete guide (requires Adobe Reader)
The guide is loaded with information about the area including history, walking trails, and descriptions of the rock art panels. This guide is probably one of the best that I have ever come across, and it's free.
All mileages and coordinates given on this web sites are approximate. Use common sense and caution when following any directions.
Getting there:
The Mt. Irish Archaeological District is approximately 110 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada and 45 miles west of Caliente, Nevada.
Most of the dirt road leading to the site from the gate is in fair condition, but is subject to wash outs. I would strongly advise using a high clearance vehicle, taking lots of water, and a full tank of gas. Also remember that the archaeological district is at an elevation of 5700' and the weather can be very different from the valley floor where you started. Please see our "Surviving in the Desert" section.
If you camp in the area, please do not build open campfires - especially near any of the rock art panels. The heat and smoke from your fire will damage rock art.
From the Chevron gas station in Alamo, NV drive north on Hwy 93 13.9 miles to the intersection of SR 375 and Hwy 93.
Go west on SR 375 for a short distance (less than a mile) to SR 318. Continue north on SR 318 about 2.4 miles to the gate. Or if you prefer, the distance from the intersection of Hwy 93 and SR 375 to the gate is 3.2 miles. The gate is a wire gate, so you may want to use gloves when opening and closing it.
Gate Etiquette: Under most circumstances you should always leave the gate the way you find it. The gate to Mt. Irish is normally kept closed, so please close it behind you.
All mileages and coordinates given on this web site are approximate.
Use common sense and caution when following any directions. If it does not look right, don't do it.
Disclaimer to keep my butt out of the proverbial wringer: Check with multiple sources to make sure all your information is up-to-date and accurate. Do not rely on only one source (such as our web site) to be the final word. Contact the BLM, Forest Service, Park Service or whomever, to get the most up-to-date road and trail information. Things can, and do, change very rapidly in the desert due to road construction, flash flooding, and other natural and/or man-made causes. Do the prudent thing and check before you venture out. Also please view the information on our "A Few Tips for Hiking in the Desert" page.
| Driving Map and GPS for the Mt. Irish Rock Art District |
| BLM - Mt. Irish Trail Guide Maps |
| Complete downloadable "Mt Irish Trail Guide" (requires Adobe Reader) |
| Take these directions with you. Download the PDF version |
The turn off to Mt Irish
Left Photo: The gate at SR 318 and the road to the site. Zero your mileage at the gate. Right Photo: Just beyond the gate looking towards the site.
Left Photo: Stay to the left at the "BLM sign". The distance from the gate to the BLM sign is approximately 6.8 miles. Right Photo: Sign-in kiosk #1 and parking area. The total distance from the gate to kiosk #1 is approximately 8.6 miles.
The turn off for kiosks #2 & #3 is approximately .28 of a mile beyond kiosk #1 or a total of 8.9 miles from the gate. Take the left fork at the "Y". If you go straight you will be on the road to Logan.
Sign-in kiosks #2 & #3 (about 100 yards apart), parking for both, and the outhouse are just .5 (1/2 mile) beyond kiosk #1. The total distance from the gate to the outhouse is approximately 9.1 miles.
The photos below are typical of the type of terrain in the area. At this point you are at an elevation of approximately 5700'
| Driving Map and GPS for the Mt. Irish Rock Art District |
| BLM - Mt. Irish Trail Guide Maps |
| Complete downloadable "Mt Irish Trail Guide" (requires Adobe Reader) |
| Click here to view "Mt Irish" Stops 1 - 3 Petroglyphs on our other web site | |
| Return to List of Public Sites | Return to the home page |
The weather below is from the closest town or city. The Mt. Irish Rock Art Site is at an elevation of 5700' so the weather can be very different from the valley below.
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