Near Blue Diamond in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Old Spanish Trail
Mountain Springs Pass
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. Marker is on Pahrump Valley Highway (Nevada Route 160 at milepost 17) , on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Las Vegas NV 89161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 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); The Pioneer Saloon (approx. 11˝ miles away); Goodsprings Mining District 1856 - 1957 (approx. 11˝ miles away); Good's Spring (approx. 11.6 miles away); Outlaws and Horse Thieves on the Old Spanish Trail (approx. 13.9 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.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,140 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2023, 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. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.