Carpenter Canyon

Carpenter Canyon is a canyon on the western side of the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada. It is accessible via State Route 160 and Carpenter Canyon Road near Pahrump. Carpenter Canyon Road is a minimally maintained dirt road reaching roughly 10 miles into the mountains and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. A clearwater stream runs through Carpenter Canyon the entire year, supporting a small population of trout, which is uncommon in the Spring Mountains.

Natural History

Geology

The Spring Mountains divide the Pahrump Valley and Amargosa River basin from the Las Vegas Valley, which drains into the Colorado River, thus the mountains define part of the boundary of the Great Basin. A number of springs can be found in the recesses of Red Rock Canyon which lies on the eastern side of the range. One of the more notable springs feeds the Carpenter Canyon Creek.

Plants

In Lower Carpenter Canyon, Creosote bush and dried grass dominate the landscape. Moving further up in elevation, Yuccas and Joshua Trees appear more frequently. Small flowering plants also become common. At around 5,000 feet, Juniper trees and Pinyon pine are introduced, and above this elevation they dominate the terrain. Towards the source of the creek, and the head of the canyon a wide variety of flowering plants are prevalent. This includes the indigenous crimson columbine ("Aquilegia shockleyi").