Near Blue Diamond in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Old Spanish Trail
Mountain Springs Pass
Photographed by Melissa H Spease, January 10, 2023
1. Old Spanish Trail Marker
This portion of the Old Spanish Trail was discovered in January, 1830, by Antonio Armijo during his first trip from Santa Fe to Los Angeles. The spring just north of this marker provided excellent water and fed meadows of luxuriant grass for draft animals. Two days were required to travel between Las Vegas and Mountain Springs Pass. The trip was broken at Cottonwood Springs, the site of Blue Diamond, where an early start was usually made in order to climb the pass by nightfall. Early travelers often referred to the area as Piute Springs, but the present title has been used for over a century. The altitude made Mountain Springs one of the favorite camping spots on the trail.
Erected by Nevada State Park System, Southern Nevada Historical Society. (Marker Number 142.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Old Spanish National Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1830.
Location. 35° 59.907′ N, 115° 26.861′ W. Marker is near Blue Diamond, Nevada, in Clark County. It is on Pahrump Valley Highway (Nevada Route 160 at milepost 17), on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert and in Greater Las Vegas. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Potosi (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named The Old Spanish Trail (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Old Spanish Trail (approx. 4.1 miles away); Spring Mountain Ranch (approx. 5 miles away); Goods Spring (approx. 11½ miles away); The Pioneer Saloon (approx. 11½ miles away); Goodsprings Mining District 1856 - 1957 (approx. 11½ miles away); Community Clubhouse (approx. 11½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Diamond.
Also see . . . The Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Old Spanish Trail, Association blog (Submitted on November 24, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
2. Old Spanish Trail Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
3. Old Spanish Trail Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
4. Old Spanish Trail Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
5. Old Spanish Trail Marker as seen looking east along NV State Road 160
Photographed by Melissa H Spease, January 10, 2023
6. Old Spanish Trail Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,914 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2025, by Melissa H Spease of Las Vegas, Nevada. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2023, by Melissa H Spease of Las Vegas, Nevada. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on June 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Melissa H Spease of Las Vegas, Nevada. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
