Book Cliffs Rock Art II | Saturday, November 19, 2011
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
Great images Randy.