Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs

Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs (AZ:F:14:98 ASM)
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Petroglyphs on a rock in Grapevine Canyon.
Nearest city	Laughlin, Nevada
Coordinates	35.2271°N 114.6856°W / 35.2271; -114.6856
NRHP reference No.	84000799
Added to NRHP	December 15, 1984

The Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs are located in Grapevine Canyon on Spirit Mountain near Laughlin, Nevada, and are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.[1] The area is also known as Christmas Tree Pass.[2] While the petroglyphs extend through the canyon, a significant concentration lies at the entrance to the canyon which is at an elevation of 2,395 feet (730 m).[3] The area features over 700 petroglyphs and many rock shelters.[4]

History

The glyphs were created between 1100 and 1900 AD.[5] Both the meaning of the glyphs and their creators remains unclear although the area was inhabited by the Mojave.[6]

The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 1984.[7] Mapping of the estimated 250 panels of glyphs was conducted in 2009.[8]

In March 2010, David R. Smith, accompanied by two other individuals, defaced 30 areas of petroglyphs by shooting them with an automatic paintball gun. He was sentenced to serve time in federal prison and pay almost $10,000 in restitution.[9]

Grapevine Canyon

The canyon itself is located in the Bridge Canyon Wilderness[10] and the Spirit Mountain Wilderness as well as partially being in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.[11] There is a brief hike to reach the canyon itself from the parking lot.

The majority of the petroglyphs are located near the entrance of the canyon and within its immediate interior, with additional petroglyphs located on the left and right of the entrance. There is a path which leads into the canyon, but there are only a few petroglyphs located deeper into the canyon.

Images

• 
  Grapevine Canyon Rock Art
• 
  Bighorn sheep petroglyphs
• 
  Desert rock art panels
• 
  Grapevine Canyon Entrance

Notes

1. "National Register of Historic Places - Nevada (NV), Clark County". nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
2. "Spirit Mountain Viewpoint". Retrieved March 17, 2007.
3. Jim Boone (February 28, 2010). "Rock Art Around Grapevine Canyon". Birdandhike.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
4. "Grapevine canyon petroglyphs" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 26, 2024.
5. "Grapevine Canyon". Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
6. Don Shepherd (February 6, 2009). "Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs and Creation Mythology". The Online Nevada Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
7. "Nevada Entries in the National Register of Historic Places". Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
8. "Grapevine Canyon petroglyphs being mapped". Mohave Valley News. Archaeology Daily News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
9. Staff, I. C. T. (September 13, 2018). "Paintballer Gets 15 Months for Damaging Native American Petroglyphs". ICT News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
10. Wall, Deborah (November 6, 2007). "Rocks stal spotlight along hike". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
11. "Spirit Mountain Wilderness" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 30, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2010.