Pictograph Fork & The Harvest Scene

The Maze and the Mesa | Day 2
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Our second day started out cold with plenty of wind. None of us slept very well since the wind was noisy all night. After some breakfast we bundled up and started our hike down Pictograph Fork to check out the Harvest Scene pictographs, which was my main reason for setting up this trip to The Maze in the first place.

Dave and Jared in the canyon ahead of me as we hike towards Pictograph Fork.

Hiking Pictograph Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A panel of Barrier Canyon Style petroglyphs found in Pictograph Fork.

Pictograph Fork Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s a closer look at a few of the figures.

Pictograph Fork Anthropomorphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then we continued on down the canyon until we reached the Harvest Scene. This photo is taken in the canyon just before we reached the pictographs.

Near the Harvest Scene by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The sun was shining on the panel and washing it out pretty good, but luckily there were a few puffy clouds in the sky that blocked the sun for a few minutes at a time so that I could try and take some decent photos of the panel. Here’s an overview of the Harvest Scene Pictograph Panel.

Harvest Scene Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the part of the panel that gives it the name ‘Harvest Scene’

The Harvest Scene by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These figures found on the left side of the panel are very elaborately decorated.

Tall, Skinny & Elaborate by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The figure to the right of the striped anthropomorph appears to be bowing.

Bow to the Stripes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the unusual striped figure.

Striped Man by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared checking out the panel and giving it some scale.

Jared for Scale by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Both Dave and Jared on the ledge in front of the panel.

Dave & Jared by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Not a great photo, but the best I managed to get on this trip. If you look closely you can see what looks like a bird a rabbit and another smaller zoomorph on the outstretched hand. There is also what appears to be indian rice grass growing out of the middle finger on the hand. A very interesting panel.

The Hand that Feeds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were plenty of other pictographs to be found nearby, including this small panel. The furthest figure on the right appears to be a very long dog standing up.

Standing Dog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These two pictograph panels are located just to the left of the main Harvest Scene panel.

Two Faint Panels by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another of the faint panels found nearby.

Faint Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These pictographs are found a bit upstream from the Harvest Scene and are actually the first panel you will come across when hiking down-canyon as we did.

Pictograph Fork Snake Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We had some lunch before leaving the Harvest Scene and then continued on our loop hike. Another view of Pictograph Fork from near the pictographs.

Pictograph Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We took a detour towards the Maze Overlook trail in search of some more rock art and found this snake petroglyph, which might be the one Ed Abbey spoke of in Desert Solitaire when he descended into The Maze. This is an overview of the location where the snake petroglyph is found.

Snake Alone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the simple snake petroglyph.

Small Snake Petroglyph by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It was a long hike back to camp and windy again once we climbed back out of the canyon. Hiking over the sandstone on our way back to camp.

March to Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We passed this small arch along the way.

Mesa Top Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view of The Maze and the La Sal Mountains in the distance through the small arch.

Through the Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Can you spot Chimney Rock in the distance? It was a long hike back to camp.

Small Chimney by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When we arrived back at camp, we had some dinner and tried to stay out of the wind as much as possible. Jared having some dinner and using my Jeep to block the wind with Chimney Rock in the background.

Jared, Jeep & Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When the sun was getting close to setting, we grabbed our cameras and took some photos…

I love the layers of color in this photo.

Colorful Layers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another Chimney Rock Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Dave trying to keep warm.

Dave in Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

View from Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Canyonlands at Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Maze and Canyon Rims by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Aside from the wind when we were up out of the canyon, it was a good day. I’m glad I finally got to visit the Harvest Scene and will probably hike down from The Maze Overlook next time I want to visit it.

>> Pictograph Fork & The Harvest Scene Photo Gallery