Strange carvings on trees can be found all over Nevada. Coming across these mysterious marks is always a welcome surprise and should definitely be on every Nevadan’s bucket list. But what are these strange markings? And where do you find them? The hiking trail that climbs Nevada’s impressive Mount Jefferson is just one of the places in the state where you can spot these unique carvings. Located within a secret forest hidden from view, it can take some effort to find them. However, it’s totally worth it once you do. The sight of these carved trees are a real treat that everybody should experience.
Located within the incredible Alta Toquima Wilderness is the massive and awe-inspiring Mount Jefferson. During the trek to the top, you'll find yourself coming across all sorts of surprises.
The mountain has a summit of a whopping 12,000 feet. If you're looking for isolation...this is it. The nearest town is the small community of Tonopah. Be sure to stop there and make sure you're good on gas, food, and water, because you're about to head out into one of the most secluded wilderness areas in the state.
This region is widely known for being one of the most unusual wilderness areas in the entire country. The place is noted for going against everything you know when you think of Nevada wilderness.
Here you'll come across wild flowers, meadows, creeks, hot springs, and groves of aspen trees. You'll experience a wide variety of landscapes, going from lush greenery to desolate desert in a matter of a few miles. It seems that this area is just full of surprises awaiting you at every corner.
Advertisement
You'll find the hidden forest on the trail towards Mount Jefferson's summit.
The trail is not for the faint of heart. It's an uneven, backcountry trail that requires some stamina. On top of that, there are more than a dozen creek crossings where your only "bridges" are some stepping stones and strategically placed sticks. It does take some effort, but you'll soon realize that it's totally worth it.
You might have to get creative when it comes to hiking along the trail. The remoteness of this area is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. However, the isolation is also what makes this place so utterly magical.
After about 4 miles, you'll come upon a small grove of aspen trees. The grove itself is a unique surprise as you traverse through the wilderness, but it's what's on the trees that will really blow you away.
Covering a majority of the trees are these unique markings which may not make much sense to you at first sight. It might surprise you to know that some of these markings are thought to be over a century old. The carvings often depict words, numbers, and even pictures.
So, what are these weird carvings? They are called arborglyphs and they can be found all over Nevada. They were made by Basque sheepherders as they traveled through various areas of the state in the late 1800s.
The carvings might include Basque, Spanish, or English spellings. It's believed that the carvings were meant to convey messages to other sheepherders. If anything, it was a way for these sheepherders to leave their own unique mark, and therefore feel less alone while on their long sheepherding journey. The carvings are an incredible look into Nevada's fascinating past.
At this point, you can either bask in the strange serenity of the aspen grove or continue on to Mount Jefferson's summit.
There's undoubtedly something magical about the Alta Toquima Wilderness. The isolation. The quiet. The carvings of a bygone era. Everybody should experience the undeniable energy of this amazing natural area.
Do you know of any other places in Nevada to spot arborglyphs? The Silver State is just full of unique hidden attractions. Check out these 15 Hidden Nevada Treasures for even more secret spots throughout the state.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
