Mount Irish (NV)

Overview

Mount Irish was named for O.H. Irish, an indian agent for the Utah Territory in 1865. Prior to being named after him, the mountain was called Big Quartz Mountain, which is a mouthful to say the least. Today, Mount Irish is topped by a communications complex that has been totally provided by helicopter. The service antennas up there provide communications for the whole area and while it does mar the pristine area, the highest peaks nowadays often are scarred with the communication structures that our modern society seems to require.
One good aspect of the way this one was built, no road was built to access it.

The reason a few of us are interested in this mountain is the fact that it ranks #97 on the top prominence peaks list in the state of Nevada. With 2563 feet of prominence, Mount Irish is an attractive peak (despite the communication structures).

Also nearby is the Mt. Irish Petroglyph area, a 640 acre site administered by the BLM. Located in the northern Pahranagat Valley, the Mount Irish petroglyph site contains petroglyphs carved by prehistoric American Indians into the area's characteristic soft, reddish rock. In 2004, much of the area south of the Logan pass road was designated by congress as a wilderness area. See this link also.

Getting There

From Las Vegas, take I-15 to exit 64 and head north on US 93 to Alamo (75 miles from the junction). Get gas in either Alamo or Ash Springs as you won't find it beyond Ash Springs. A few miles north of Ash Springs, watch for a junction with highway 318. If you miss this junction, you'll end up in Caliente. Turn left (west) onto highway 318 and stay right at an upcoming
junction with highway 375 (heads to Tonopah). It is about 2.5 miles beyond this junction with 375 to a dirt road (gated) on the left side of the highway. If you drive into Hiko, you have gone too far. The wire gate is unmarked but it won't be locked. Open and close it as you enter and continue driving up the graded dirt road on your way to Logan Pass. Along the way, you will pass a sign informing you about the Mount Irish Petroglyph site, stay to the left of this first sign. Next you will pass another identical sign which is located at the site itself. Continue on and at the next main fork, take the road to the right, it will take you up to Logan Pass. The left fork will drop downhill. At the time of our visit (April 2011), the road to Logan Pass was in good condition and would be driveable by non 4WD vehicles.

We parked beyond the pass and could've parked a bit closer to the start of the hike as a 4WD road in good condition would have allowed us to do so and would've kept us from parking off of the main road.

I would avoid these roads during rainy weather.

Red Tape

None that I am aware of. The roads and land belong to the BLM and there were no private property issues to deal with.

For more information:

Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, HC 33 P.O. Box 33500, Ely, Nevada 89301-9408 Telephone: (775) 289-1800

or

Caliente Field Station, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 237, Caliente, Nevada 89008 Telephone (775) 726-8100

Camping

You could camp just about anywhere on BLM land using common sense and the "leave no trace" ethic. Public camping can also be found below Alamo as there were good camping spots at the Upper Pahranagat Lake area. Unimproved camping and picnic sites are available along the eastern shoreline of Upper Pahranagat Lake (see map). All camping is restricted to these areas. Camping is limited to 7 consecutive days, within a 30-day period, beginning upon day of arrival. No generators are allowed to run in the campground. Restore your campsite to a clean and orderly condition when you leave. See this LINK for more information

Weather for the area

Click for weather forecast


Click for weather forecast

Route and map

GPS waypoints (lat/long nad 27)

Highway: 37.5665 115.2306
First sign: 37.6052 115.3427 go left
Turn to Logan
Pass 37.61175 115.3894

Our TH 37.6266 115.4089

Summit views

Looking West

Looking SouthEast

Looking North

Looking Northwest

Looking Southwest

Looking South

Disclaimer

As road conditions can change and hiking or traveling in this type of country can be inherently dangerous, the above information is provided only as a courtesy. You accept all risk and responsibility for your activities in this area and I recommend that you let others know of your plans and where you will be hiking/climbing prior to heading to this area. Be self sufficient and carry plenty of food, water and shelter in the event of a breakdown. Good quality tires are a necessity on the rough and rocky roads you will encounter as is a vehicle in good condition. Having said all that, have a good trip and please let the author of this page know of changes that you encounter.

Images

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