Hidden deep within the Big Rock Wilderness of eastern Nevada's Pahroc Range lies an extraordinary archaeological treasure: the Pahroc Big Rock petroglyphs. This remarkable site, a single boulder featuring Archaic period rock art, was discovered by chance when rock climbers stumbled upon it many years ago.
One face of this boulder is covered with petroglyphs: shamen, bighorn sheep, rain symbols - a lot is happening here. One of the more intriguing petroglyphs on the boulder is a human figure with a spiral next to his head, the so-called "Spiral Man." If you stand before him on the winter solstice and look at the ridge line to the south, you will spot a hole in the ridgeline. The sun shines through that hole on the solstice at about 10 AM.
L: Rain Spirits? C: Ladder? Counting? R: Spiral Man
As is often the case, finding the site is part of its allure. When I set out to locate it, I had a general idea of where it was, but it was still a challenge. I had to hunt for it. Once at the trailhead (which is also a primitive campsite), I first scouted the obvious valley before moving on to an adjacent one. After hiking a couple of miles, I finally found it up on a volcanic cliff. It's not an obvious location.
While I've been asked not to provide specific directions to protect the site, my photos below should offer some helpful clues.
Interestingly, right at the beginning of the hike, there's a boulder in the campsite with pictographs adorning its ceiling. I'm amazed at how often other explorers overlook it.
Please respect and leave the site better than you found it.
No directions or GPS to this site. Photos below.
