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Ivie Creek and the Molen Seep

San Rafael Swell Rock Art VII
Sunday, October 30, 2011

After spending Saturday hiking to the Dragonfly Panel, I decided to head over to the San Rafael Swell to visit some new rock art sites. The first site I visited is actually just a little bit west of the Swell along Ivie Creek at the edge of the Wasatch Plateau. It was a little tricky finding the way up to this panel, but I did manage to make it up there.

Three red anthropomorphs and one very long snake.

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Three Men and a Snake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These handprints and the large shield figure are located in the same alcove.

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Shield & Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the three Fremont figures.

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Fremont Warriors by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After visiting the first site, I headed back east a little ways and then followed Quitchupah Creek, which also flows down from the Wasatch Plateau, in search of more rock art.

While scanning the canyon walls, this is the first faint panel I found. It looks like there were a few figures holding hands here at one time.

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Broken Chain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then just a little further up the canyon I found quite a few more petroglyphs and pictographs in one area including this strange design. I’m not sure what it is, but it reminds me a little of this Ute petroglyph found in Dominguez Canyon.

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Quitchupah Design by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Many more petroglyphs found nearby.

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Quitchupah Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A high panel of petroglyphs near the previous one. A few of the figures look like they could be Barrier Canyon Style?

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Gridlines by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A line of Fremont anthropomorphic pictographs that are holding hands.

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Hand-Holding by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A few red handprints and a small anthropomorph…plus some other faint designs.

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Anthro & Handprints by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another Fremont figure and a couple of snakes hidden under an overhang near the ground.

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Man & Snake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A very cool petroglyph panel that appears to contain some newer figures pecked over some much older petroglyphs. Too bad it was damaged in 1903 by W. Beebe…

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W.BEEBE 1903 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A lone bighorn sheep body without any legs.

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Sheep Body by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Quite a few older petroglyphs are found here. If you look closely at the black section of the rock you can see some very faint ones there as well.

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Old Glyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I was done photographing the rock art along Quitchupah Creek I drove up through Ferron and then over to the Molen Seep panels. Unfortunately, the sun was shining directly on most of these panels and causing problems with shadows which made it tough to get some decent photos. I will need to go back at a different time of the day or on an overcast day for better photos in the future. Here are the best photos I managed to get this time…

A large anthropomorph and rainbow with some smaller figures in the scene.

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Molen Rainbow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One of the petroglyph panels found here. The vertical line of circles is interesting and there also appears to be a large bear print, too.

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Paw & Circles by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There are many moccasins or sandals in this unique petroglyphs panel.

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Moccasins Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Family Panel is painted in the Barrier Canyon Style and appears to represent a family. Luckily this one was all in the shade of the overhang, so I was able to get a nice shot of it.

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Family Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This is the top portion of the Rain Panel. This is a very cool set of pictographs that I was looking forward to seeing this trip. Unfortunately, the lower portion of the panel was in the sun while the top section was in the shade…I will have to return to get a better photo of this site.

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Top of the Rain Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s a closer look at some of the details found in the Rain Panel. These skinny and tall figures are very cool.

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Thin Anthropomorphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

See if you can spot the petroglyphs found on the canyon wall in this photo. On the left there is a figure that looks like it might represent a turkey.

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High Panels by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After hiking back to my Jeep from the Molen Seep panels, I drove up to visit the petroglyphs near Kings Crown. Here’s a photo of the Kings Crown Petroglyphs with the Wasatch Plateau in the background. It would have been a bit nicer if there were some clouds in the sky…

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Kings Crown by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the petroglyphs.

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Kings Crown Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Before ending my day and driving back home, I made one last stop at the Rochester Creek Panel. Here’s a few of the hidden Barrier Canyon Style petroglyphs found here.

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Hidden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A little hunting scene.

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Hunter by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Just a small portion of the very large petroglyph panel.

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Rochester Detail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

While searching the area for something new, I did manage to come across some more modern ‘rock art’ I guess this guy is having a little trouble with his horse!

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Help! by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> San Rafael Swell Rock Art VII Photo Gallery

One Comment

  1. Jayson
    Jayson January 21, 2021

    This is so amazing!! I would love if the photographer could contact me and help me with a little information on how to find this. I live in the Richfield area. I know its a long shot but your help would be amazing.

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