Overview

Shaman Knob is one of the four main areas in the Mt. Irish Archeological District and consists of an isolated boulder pile with grand views to the east. Native peoples lived here and etched an extensive array of petroglyphs on the rocks. The BLM placed four numbered markers around the site, and the BLM and Lincoln County each produced brochures describing the numbered petroglyph panels (BLM brochure; Lincoln County brochure).

Described here is the short trail the runs around Shaman Knob visiting each of the four numbered sites. Details of the location, access routes, and GPS coordinates are presented on the Mt. Irish Archeological District page.

Link to Area Map or Site Map.

The Hike

The sign-in register (Table 1, Site SK-Register) is adjacent to the parking area, and from the register, Marker #1 (Site SK-01) is 4-5 yards to the left almost hidden from view behind bushes. From the sign-in register, walk west up the road a few paces, then pick up the Shaman Knob Trail and walk back towards Marker #1, which is plainly visible from the road. From Marker #1, facing Shaman Knob, Site 1 is spread out in the view to the north. On the left skyline is a boulder with "sideways petroglyphs." Why sideways petroglyphs? -- because the boulder broke off and fell over, rotating about 90-degrees to the left.

Directly behind Marker #1 (3 ft back) is a low boulder marked with a petroglyph. A bit to the right, a shady cave invites warm-day hikers so seek refuge from the sun, just as it did for the ladies who used the "bench" in the cave for a grinding stone. The rock face above is also well covered in rock stories.

From Marker #1, the trail runs northeast a few yards into a gap between the two halves of Shaman Knob. Departing Marker #1, a small metal sign with a directional arrow indicates that the trail continues straight into the gap.

In the gap, a petroglyph panel on the left is indicated by Marker #2. Site 2 includes several petroglyphs, but the fat sheep is unusual.

Continuing through the gap, the trail wraps around to the left, where Marker #3 quickly becomes apparent. Facing south, Site 3 includes a nice example of a Petroglyph Man and two painted (pictographs) red lines (actually three, but two are obvious).

From Site 3, hikers turn around to face north and see Marker #4. Site 4 includes one smaller boulder that is marked on the south and north sides. Walking around the right side of the boulder, hikers naturally turn left to see the backside of the boulder. However, be sure to also look right (east). The gnarly pinyon growing atop a boulder pile shades some additional petroglyphs at an unnumbered Site NE.

Continuing past Site 4, the trail runs west along the north side of Shaman Knob to the road, which is followed back left to the trailhead.

Although not on the trail, note that Shaman Knob is composed of two boulder piles, and the trail wraps around the west half. On the southeast corner of the east half, a large pinyon pine conceals another nice petroglyph panel (Site SE).