GRAPEVINE CANYON

GRAPEVINE CANYON

To many first-time visitors, the Mojave Desert seems barren and desolate, but a walk through Grapevine Canyon offers another perspective. A freshwater spring flows out of the canyon in non-drought years. This desert spring provides life-giving water to a wide assortment of plants and animals. The presence of the water and the abundance of plants and animals drew early humans to this area as well. The relatively lush plant growth in the canyon is in sharp contrast to the stark hillsides. This extra moisture from the small spring allows a number of plants to grow here that could not survive on drier slopes. Cottonwood, grapevines, cattails and rushes grow in the canyon. The presence of a spring and the variety of water loving plants draw desert bighorn sheep and other animals into the canyon.

Grapevine Canyon is one of the most significant and expansive petroglyph sites in the American Southwest. Grapevine Canyon is recognized as the spiritual gateway to Spirit Mountain, a place in which spirits and spiritual forces travel to and from the Mountain. Carved on the steep walls of Grapevine Canyon are mountain sheep, spirals, stars, and intricate geometric designs relating to this spiritual significance. Archeological research of rock shelters in the area indicates that the Aha Makav people (ancestors of the modern day Mohave peoples) and, perhaps, Southern Paiute people camped here. Evidence indicates that the people camped in the shelters for a few days at a time while they were using the area. The estimated time period for these petroglyphs and pictographs is between 1200 and 1800 A.D. The petroglyphs and pictographs are believed to have been created as part of rituals associated with spirit quests at Spirit Mountain.

It is illegal to remove or damage archeological materials. Disturbance of these resources destroys our heritage. Please do not climb on the rocks and panels. Look, observe, imagine. Be still and listen. Let the rocks speak. And if you are lucky, you might see an eagle or a desert bighorn sheep.

DIRECTIONS

Drive south from Las Vegas on U.S. 93/95. At Railroad Pass, head south on U.S. 95 through Searchlight to Nevada Highway #163 (Laughlin cutoff) where you turn left. About two miles before reaching Laughlin, there is a sign on the left marking the turnoff for Christmas Tree Pass. Follow that road for about a mile-and-a-half where there will be a sign on the left and spur road to Grapevine Canyon. The trailhead is less than a quarter mile on that road. The walk to the mouth of Grapevine Canyon is along a flat sandy wash and is only a quarter mile walk from the trailhead parking area.