Sunday, May 6, 2012
After a nice night sleeping along Indian Creek, I was awake again the break of dawn and having some breakfast. I packed up camp and then headed back into The Needles for another day of exploring. I was soon driving the rough road over Elephant Hill into the heart of the Needles. I ended up doing a little hiking and searching for some new rock art sites as I explored this beautiful area once again.
Driving through Elephant Canyon after crossing over Elephant Hill.
Elephant Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Squeezing my Jeep through this tight section into Devil’s Pocket.
Devil’s Pocket by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Interesting black handprints along the road.
Black Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Great view in Devil’s Lane.
Devil’s Lane by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I finally managed to find The Headdress Site that I have looked for in the past with no success. As is common in these parts, there were a lot of handprints here.
In the Corner by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at some of the handprints with a small anthropomorphic figure in the middle.
Ceiling Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Above by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
These figures appear to be wearing very large headdresses, which is where the site derives it’s name.
Hands & Headdress by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A few more of the smaller pictographs found at this site.
Celebration by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Since I was driving right by them, I just had to stop at the pictographs near SOB Hill again.
Hands & Feet II by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
No shortage of handprints…
Devil’s Lane Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Another new Barrier Canyon Style anthropomorph I found. I have been past this area many times before and was surprised I had missed it!
Lone BCS by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I stopped at one more site before leaving the park. This was also a new one to me, and contained some interesting petroglyphs and a few painted designs.
Petroglyphs & Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Here’s a look at the petroglyphs found here.
Lower Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Designs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After leaving The Needles I headed over to Indian Creek via the Lockhart Basin Road to look for another rock art panel and a small ruin. It took a little searching, but I did manage to find what I was looking for.
First up, I found this nice pictograph panel. It sure reminds me of the one found at Peekaboo Spring along Salt Creek because of all the white dots.
White Dot Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at part of the panel.
Dots & Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Then I managed to find the ruin I was looking for. I can’t believe I missed this one in the past. I have driven right by it a few times before. It does blend in well.
Spot the Ruin? by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I did try to find a way to get closer to this ruin, but found no way up to it.
Indian Creek Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Every time I have driven by these falls on a nice warm day there always seems to be people here, so I usually just pass it by. Today there was no one around, so I stopped to cool off and take a few photos before starting my drive back home.
Indian Creek Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It seems that I can’t drive along the road through Indian Creek Canyon without spotting some new petroglyphs along the way. Today was no exception as I spotted these faint Basketmaker anthropomorphs above the road.
Faded Basketmaker Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
great pics,thank you