"Paranagat" is a First American term meaning “Valley of Shining Water.”
Although today most of the “shining water” has disappeared, Pahranagat Valley still contains four lakes that receive their waters from a narrow spring-fed stream that runs north-south through the Valley. The three largest springs that feed the lakes are Hiko, Crystal, and Ash, and the four lakes are Nesbitt, Frenchie, Upper, and Lower Pahranagat.
Although today most of the “shining water” has disappeared, Pahranagat Valley still contains four lakes that receive their waters from a narrow spring-fed stream that runs north-south through the Valley. The three largest springs that feed the lakes are Hiko, Crystal, and Ash, and the four lakes are Nesbitt, Frenchie, Upper, and Lower Pahranagat.
On
January 24, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held an open house and dedicated a new visitor
center that is located between the Upper and Lower Pahranagat lakes, off of
U.S. Highway 93 near Mile Post 32. To
help celebrate the grand opening, there were Birds of Prey demonstrations,
crafts, solar astronomy telescopes, and lots of food (including homemade Chuck
Wagon Stew). The world’s largest blue bird even arrived in time to help in the
dedication. We also had the opportunity to attend the premier showing of the
new Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge movie, which was very informative.
During
the winter months, the Refuge is home to a large number of Tundra Swans,
Canadian Geese, ducks, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, egrets, cranes, and a
host of other birds and wildlife. Unfortunately, the birds were camera-shy and I didn't have a telephoto lens!
Near
the Visitor Center is an abandoned pioneer pig farm and the scale that
was used to weigh the hogs before they were sent to market is still embedded in
a large Cottonwood Tree.
The
historic Walden House is also located near the new visitor center. The stone
structure was constructed around 1864 and is believed to the oldest pioneer
dwelling in the Pahranagat Valley.
