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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 springs 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 Paiute 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."
Old Spanish Trail - Mountain Springs Pass - Nevada
Mountain Springs Pass, Old Spanish Trail
Mountain Springs Pass is a historically significant location along the Old Spanish Trail in the United States. The Old Spanish Trail was a trade route that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, with California, primarily used between the 19th and early 20th centuries. The trail facilitated the exchange of goods between the American Southwest and California.Mountain Springs Pass is located in southern Nevada, near the present-day community of Mountain Springs. This pass played a crucial role for travelers on the Old Spanish Trail as it provided a route through the Spring Mountains. The Spring Mountains are part of the larger Basin and Range Province, and the pass allowed for a more direct and feasible route through the mountainous terrain.
Travelers, including traders and immigrants, faced challenges navigating the harsh desert and mountainous landscapes along the Old Spanish Trail. Mountain Springs Pass offered a way through the mountains, making the journey more manageable.
The Old Spanish Trail is significant in the history of western expansion and trade, as it connected different regions of the American West. Today, some sections of the Old Spanish Trail are preserved, and efforts have been made to recognize its historical importance. Mountain Springs Pass remains a point of interest for those interested in the history of westward expansion and trade routes in the United States.