Hike Grapevine Canyon NCA, Nevada

Add to My List Check Off

To many first time visitors, the Mojave Desert seems barren and desolate, but a walk through Grapevine Canyon offers another perspective. A fresh water spring flows out of the canyon floor in non-drought years. This desert spring provides life-giving water to a wide assortment of plants, including grapevines, and animals. The presence of the water and the abundance of plants and animals may have drawn early humans to this area as well. Evidence of the Prehistoric Indians who lived in this area can be found by following the trail from the parking area to the mouth of the canyon, an easy ¼-mile walk. Rock drawings known as petroglyphs are etched on the large boulders at the entrance to the canyon. They are believed to have been created by these early people. Grapevine Canyon is located at the southern end of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near Laughlin, Nevada. From Las Vegas it is approximately 93 miles (149 km) to the Grapevine Canyon parking area. Take U.S. 95 south to Nevada 163 (Laughlin Highway.) Take Laughlin Highway approximately 13 miles (30 km) to Christmas Tree Pass Road, a well maintained dirt road. It is a short two mile drive to the parking area to your left. Petroglyphs are historical artifacts protected by Federal law. Please do not tamper, move or otherwise disturb these ancient artifacts so visitors for years to come may be able to enjoy them. From the dirt parking area walk up the wash, away from the parking area, a short 1/4 mile hike to the entrance of the canyon. The granite rocks are covered in a dark "desert varnish", a natural patina that forms over time on the surface of desert rock. This dark patina forms the canvas on which the petroglyphs were created by 'pecking' at the rock wall with a rock tool. Some of the drawings may be hard to see because they are very old and the varnish is once again covering up the rock. Most of the rock art can be seen at ground level so there will be little need to climb up the rocks. Further up the trail you will find evidence of a small cement dam, probably built by ranchers in the area. There is a pool of water which is a good place to relax, listen to nature and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›