Overview:
Located in the Westerly hills of the City of Mesquite, Nevada is an area with sandstone "drive-by artwork" carved into two adjacent "roadway cut" sections. Local resident Pete Karns (a retired real estate broker from Jackson, Wyoming) is the person behind the carvings and admits that he is not an artist or sculptor. As of Feb. 2023 his work includes: "Little Mount Rushmore", a castle, Olympic Rings, "Charlie Brown Peanuts Gang", various emojis and one of Mr. Karns newest carvings "Lady Liberty" to name a few. These "fragile" creations carved out of soft sandstone are often more durable (local dry climate) than people think, however vandalism is always a constant threat.



Few (if any) visitors who stop and see his artwork (or are lucky enough to see him working) realize that Mr. Karns is a multi-talented individual. In fact, Mr. Karns is a former Olympian (1972 Winter Olympics - Sapporo, Japan) in which he competing in the discipline of biathlon (combines cross-country skiing with target shooting). Other Olympic credits include: (1) U.S. national biathlon team coach (1976 Winter Olympics - Innsbruck, Austria) and (2) served on the U.S. Olympic Committee being the lead biathlon official (2010 Winter Olympics - Salt Lake City). Previous accomplishments include: the Univ. of Utah collegiate skiing champion (1960s) and the U.S. national biathlon champion (1970 & 1972). Mr. Karns is enshrined in (1) the U.S. Biathlon Hall of Fame (2) the Intermountain Skiing Hall of Fame (3) the Univ. of Utah Crimson Club athletics hall of fame and (4) the Jackson Hole Ski Hall of Fame.

Little Mt. Rushmore is one of Nevada's many roadside oddities, a glimpse into one mans "gift" to his community and fellow human beings. For Mr. Karns, creating this artwork is a hobby, his main goals: having fun and putting smiles on peoples faces.

  
...Little Mt. Rushmore artwork
  

Information / Tips:
While not a true destination and certainly not worth the drive on its own, this adventure would make an interesting stopover while traveling I-15 between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Bring plenty of water, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a fully pressurized spare tire.
•  Please: do not deface or add any carvings
    to this area, graffiti has become a problem
•  Should be considered day use only
•  No formal parking area
•  No amenities or restroom facilities
•  Not ADA accessible
•  Don't forget your camera
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nearby: Pack Mule Silhouettes

Warning:
This adventure involves travel to a relatively remote area, please refer to the section on desert travel for safety information.
•  Watch your kids near traffic
•  Be mindful of lightning / flash floods
•  Watch for snakes
•  AVOID THE AREA DURING EXTREME HEAT
•   You are responsible for your own safety

Driving Directions:
From the I-15 (Las Vegas Fwy) interchange with W. Flamingo Rd. proceed North on I-15 to Mesquite, Nv. (approx. 80 miles) taking exit 118 for Lower Flat Top Drive. At the end of the off-ramp (WP1) turn Left (North) onto Lower Flat Top Drive traveling 1.7 miles+- to the intersection of Lower Flat Top Drive & Witwer Trail (WP2). NOTE 1: Lower Flat Top Drive transitions to a "divided" roadway (with center median) just North of W. Pioneer Blvd. (see map below). From the intersection of Lower Flat Top Drive & Witwer Trail (WP2) continue straight on Lower Flat Top Drive for 0.4 miles+- to the Little Mt. Rushmore parking area (WP3). NOTE 2: no dedicated parking area exists for Little Mt. Rushmore, therefore park along the road at WP3. NOTE 3: the Little Mt. Rushmore "art work" is located on the right (East) side of Lower Flat Top Drive: being carved into two distinct "roadway cut" sections (at eye level) immediately North & South of WP3. Approx. 82 miles+ from central Vegas Strip to Little Mt. Rushmore.

Note: as previously mentioned Lower Flat Top Drive is "divided" by a center median. Therefore, from the Little Mt. Rushmore parking area (WP3) visitors must continue Northbound on Lower Flat Top Drive and travel 1.1 miles+- to the intersection of Lower Flat Top Drive & World Champion Way. At this intersection turn around heading Southbound on Lower Flat Top Drive to return directly to I-15 (WP1). An alternative: once at the intersection of Lower Flat Top Drive & World Champion Way, continue straight (Easterly) onto Hardy Way traveling to WP4 at the intersection of Hardy Way & Falcon Ridge Pkwy. Turn right (South) onto Falcon Ridge Pkwy. traveling to WP5 at the interchange of Falcon Ridge Pkwy. & I-15 (WP5).
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WP1:    N36.78205  W114.13757

WP2:    N36.80389  W114.13872

WP3:    N36.80724  W114.13426

WP4:    N36.82005  W114.11189

WP5:    N36.80310  W114.10745

Note:
See desert travel for GPS Waypoint info
All distances and waypoints are approximate