Moab Area Rock Art VII

[IntrepidXJ]

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Solstice Snake

On Sunday I met my friend Marty who was going to take me to the Solstice Snake petroglyph. I have been searching for this particular petroglyph for a while and was hoping to find it before this year’s solstice. Marty had visited this particular petroglyph about 14 years ago and wanted to return. He had a general idea of where it was located, but not an exact location. Luckily his general location was close enough for us to eventually find it, even after going the wrong way and having to scramble around on many scree slopes…..adding an extra 2-3 miles to our hike for a total of 9.75 miles round trip. Even with the extra hiking, it was a great adventure and we had fun searching the area.

I, as usual, took a number of photos of the large snake petroglyph, so here are a few of them :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5504926458_9e58199054.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5504926458/)
The Big Snake (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5504926458/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

It’s a big petroglyph. I’ve been told it’s over 17 feet long. Here’s a photo with me (taken by Marty) for some scale.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5507802590_facfd13896.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5507802590/)
The Serpent & I (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5507802590/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

…and now Marty with the snake.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5515751413_bdc424c54e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5515751413/)
Marty & the Snake (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5515751413/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

A different view.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5514911964_3f78eb903b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514911964/)
Solar Snake (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514911964/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Face to face with the serpent.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5516361508_65dc6e86f7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5516361508/)
The Serpent (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5516361508/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After spending some time at the Big Snake, we continued our search for a pithouse and ‘Altar Table,’ as Marty referred to it, that was supposed to be nearby. We managed to find these after some searching, too.

We first came across the remains of a pithouse….and then I found these small petroglyphs on the cliff behind it.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5513394643_e11f392013.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5513394643/)
Pithouse Petroglyphs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5513394643/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Next I found some more petroglyphs as we searched for the ‘altar’

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5514897190_e9ac8548e4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514897190/)
Pithouse Panels (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514897190/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Closer views of each panel…

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5514303541_2e634c9d51.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514303541/)
Pithouse Second Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514303541/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5516341630_b83e8aa76d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5516341630/)
Circles Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5516341630/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Finally we found the ‘Altar Table’ hidden in a small alcove nearby that we had to scramble up to. This is certainly one of the more unique scenes that I have come across while out exploring. Marty has a photos of this same setup that he took 14 years ago and was surprised to see that everything was still there. There were some petroglyphs here, too.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5511550059_930ca90734.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5511550059/)
The Altar Table (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5511550059/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5514898092_fa5064a2f8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514898092/)
Marty at the Altar (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5514898092/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Another small petroglyph panel located above the ‘Altar Table’

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5513991614_2d191be445.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5513991614/)
Curly Arms (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5513991614/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The hike pretty much took us most of the day and we were pretty worn out by the time we reached our Jeeps again, but it was certainly worth it. I’m looking forward to heading back in June for the solstice!…..minus the heat….

[moab mark]

You the man. I have to admit I look forward to everyone of your adventures. How's the new ride holding up?

Mark

[IntrepidXJ]

You the man. I have to admit I look forward to everyone of your adventures. How's the new ride holding up?

Mark

Thanks! The Jeep is holding up fine. I think I hit a bump too hard (driving too fast as usual) and bent my bumpstop holder. I bought a small lift last week to give me a little more room....hopefully will install it soon.

[accadacca]

That snake is freaking awesome!

[Cosmic Kid]

I first heard of Solstice Snake from a couple that I met while hiking atop Amasa Back last Christmas. I'm wondering if this is the same one they mentioned--in a side canyon of Pritchett? That's a really cool glyph. Do you have any idea what happens on the solstice in regards the snake and sun?

[Iceaxe]

I love the snake. :2thumbs:

[zzyzx]

Awesome pictures.
Are the rock art around Moab in the conserve plan by infrared photography?
I've read about this 2 years ago, but I can't find the link of the website on my PC.

[antlerking]

IntrepidXJ,
Are the three

[IntrepidXJ]

There is nothing below the snake besides fallen boulders and a talus slope.