Book Cliffs Rock Art II

[IntrepidXJ]

Saturday, November 19, 2011

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

After a morning and afternoon of hiking and exploring around Moab, Marty and I headed north to the Book Cliffs to visit a couple more new panels since we still had a few hours of sunlight left.

Soon we arrived at the foot of the Book Cliffs.


Jeep in the Book Cliffs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We quickly found the first petroglyph panel located in a narrow slot between two boulders.


Slot Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Marty took this photo of me when I climbed up on the smaller boulder to take a few shots looking down into the slot.


Photographing Boulders by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Top to Bottom by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Marty taking photos from inside the slot.


Marty in the Crack by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Marty took this photo of me from above. I definitely needed my wide lens in there!


In the Slot by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

What a large and interesting anthropomorph.


Large Horned Anthropomorph by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were plenty more faint petroglyphs on the other side of the slot, too.


Back of the Slot by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As we explored the area more thoroughly, we found a few random boulders that had some more petroglyphs on them.


Boulder Design by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then we found this small alcove under a boulder that contained a few petroglyphs near ground level. This is actually a panel I have been wanting to find, so it was a pleasant surprise! Marty takes a few photos.


Marty and the Snake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This unusual petroglyph appears to be a snake filled with tiny stick-figure humans. Some believe that this scene might be related to a narrative that is preserved in Hopi oral tradition. In a sorcery tale, a man on a precarious ledge faces a gigantic snake that is trying to dislodge him. Just as the snake is about to push him over, he spews a magic medicine at it which results in the snake crashing to the bottom. To his astonishment, dying people can be heard crying down below. It turns out that the snake had been filled with witches who, in their attempt to harm the man, are now perishing instead.


Man-Eating Snake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After we finished exploring the first area we drove over into the next canyon where we found one lone boulder that contained petroglyphs on all four sides.


Lone Boulder by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Lone Boulder Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This portion of the panel contains three bird petroglyphs in a line.


Three Birds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at an interesting anthropomorphic figure.


Stubb Anthropomorph by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

More faint petroglyphs found on the boulder.


Lone Boulder Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Just before parting ways with Marty and hopping back on the interstate to drive back home, we were treated to some nice light on the distant La Sal Mountains. I quickly switched to my long lens and got off a few shots before the show was over.


La Sal View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Book Cliffs Rock Art II Photo Gallery

[zzyzx]

always great pictures and locations.
a wonderful capture of LaSal
thx for sharing