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Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Rock Art Around Las Vegas
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Historic sites are a precious resource. Please help protect and preserve these sites.
Crystal Wash Shepherd CampMain habitation area in 2011

Overview

While not a prehistoric site, the Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp is an interesting historic camp area so close to the Crystal Wash Archeological Sites that people interested in history would be remiss to skip it. The BLM asked me to remind visitors that this is a fragile and irreplaceable part of the history of Lincoln County and Nevada. People are more than welcome to visit, but be sure to help take care of the area for future generations.

The camp area is set among desert-varnished boulders where it appears that shepherds (perhaps cowboys?) set up a long-term seasonal campsite. The campsite is in an area protected from winds on three sides by boulders and a low ridge, and they built low walls across the front and back ends that would have kept sheep (cows?) out of the living area.

Link to Site Map.

Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Details of rock wall in 2011

In the living area, they built rock walls that likely defined living quarters or a kitchen. I would imagine that they covered the top with a tarp, as was done elsewhere.

Outside the living area, residents dumped huge piles of cans, bottles, and other trash. There are a few pieces of newer trash, but most are old. The steel-and-aluminum pull-tab cans on the top of the piles date from the early 1960s, suggesting the site was abandoned at that time.

This is not a legally protected historic site, but it is an interesting site. Please visit the site respectfully and with the understanding that it holds clues to the history of Nevada. Please don't add new trash, please pick up new trash, but please leave the old trash in place.

Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
If left by native people, we would call this a midden

Location

Crystal Wash Main rock art site is located beyond the Pahranagat Valley about 110 miles north of Las Vegas on Highway 93.

From town, drive north on Interstate 15 to US Highway 93 (Table 1, Site 0674). Exit onto Highway 93 and drive north past Alamo and Ash Springs to the intersection of Highways 93 and 318 (Site 0677). Continue on Highway 93 for 4.06 miles to a large dirt parking area on the left (north) side of the road (Site 1099).

In the back of the dirt parking area, a cattle guard (Site 1100) permits access through the fence to Crystal Wash Main Road. Stay left way from the fence and proceed 100 yards to a T-intersection (Site 1101). Continue straight another 100 yards to Shepherd camp (Site 1103), on the left.

On entering the area, visitors first pass the extensive can dump and then arrive at the Shepherd Camp parking area, which is a bit like a U-shaped driveway.

Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Old cans and other items

Hours

The area is always open, but it probably should be considered day-use only. There are no established camping spots at Shepherd Camp, but there is a large, traditional campsite a bit farther down the road.

Fees

None.

Note: In this area, gasoline is available only in Alamo and Ash Springs.

Can Dump

Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Can dump (view SW)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Can dump along road (view E)

Stone Walls at Campsite

Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Front wall, right side, 2011 (view W)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Front wall, right side, 2020; little difference (view W)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Front wall, right side, right end, 2011 (view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Watch for Great Basin Collared Lizards and other current residents
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Front wall, left side, 2011 (view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Front wall, left side, 2020 (view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Main structure, 2011 (view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Main structure, 2020 (note damage to wall; view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Main structure in 2020 (view SW)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Back wall in 2020 (view S)
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Back wall in 2020
Crystal Wash Shepherd Camp
Returning towards front wall and trailhead in 2020 (view N)

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

Site # Location UTM Easting UTM Northing Latitude (N) Longitude (W) Elevation (ft) Verified
0674 I-15 at Hwy 93 689188 4028063 36.38091 114.89089 2,232 Yes
0677 Hwy 93 at Hwy 318 657363 4154834 37.52891 115.21911 3,831 Yes
1099 Crystal Wash Main Turnoff 662810 4157094 37.54832 115.15699 4,225 GPS
1100 Crystal Wash Main Gate 662794 4157154 37.54887 115.15715 4,211 GPS
1101 Crystal Wash Main Fork 662720 4157198 37.54928 115.15798 4,204 GPS
1102 Crystal Wash Main Parking 662487 4158033 37.55684 115.16044 4,138 GPS
1103 Shepherd Camp Parking 662645 4157239 37.54965 115.15882 4,198 GPS

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

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