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Drifting Around Indian Creek Country II

Friday – Sunday, January 6-8, 2023

This weekend I headed down into Indian Creek Country so I could explore more of this amazing part of the canyonlands region while also getting in my first pair of Bag Nights for 2023. Of course, I also hoped to find some new rock art and ruins along the way, too. I really enjoy coming to this part of the northern Bears Ears region during this time of the year since the weather is usually pretty mild and the crowds are non-existent. I left after work on Friday afternoon, grabbed a quick dinner in Moab and made it down into Indian Creek just in time to catch the colors of sunset, so I pulled over for a few photos along the way. I arrived at my campsite in the low light of dusk while the Wolf Moon was rising behind the clouds, listened to an audiobook for a while and then went to sleep early. Here are some photos from the weekend.

I arrived in Indian Creek Country just in time to catch a colorful sunset over the highway.

Golden Road

Harts Point

Harts Point

Beautiful sunset colors over Hatch Point.

Indian Creek Country Colors

I arrived at my campsite at dusk, just in time to see a small part of the Wolf Moon peeking out through the clouds.

Friday Evening View

As I was hiking early on Saturday morning, this rafter of turkeys crossed right in front of me and then headed up into the boulders.

Rafter of Turkeys

This is a really interesting petroglyph panel. If you look closely, you can see some very nice Barrier Canyons Style petroglyphs underneath the newer designs.

Designs over BCS Petroglyphs

Anthropomorph Boulder Panel

Anthropomorph Boulder

Anthropomorph Boulder II

Hand Petroglyph

Hand Petroglyph

Half-Circles Panel

Half-Circles Panel

This striped pictograph caught my attention from below, so I climbed up for a closer look.

Striped Pictograph

The remains of a small granary.

Granary

Square Room

Square Room

These Barrier Canyon Style pictographs were very cool!

The Ambassadors

I think this might be my favorite find of the day. There is so much going on in this long petroglyph panel!

Long Panel

Here’s a closer look at the right side.

Right Side of the Long Panel

Stone & Sky

Stone & Sky

A well-done historic petroglyph of a horse.

Horseglyph

Little petroglyphs pecked into the lower corner of a large boulder.

Little Guys

Sky View

Sky View

Canyon View

Canyon View

When I wasn’t hiking and searching the canyons for rock art and ruins, I followed this two-track into the mouth of Harts Draw so I could do a little reconnaissance for a future trip where I can continue following the Historic Macomb Expedition of 1859.

Across Indian Creek Country

Hatch Point Cliffs

Hatch Point Cliffs

Harts Draw Road

Harts Draw Road

Dueling Flautists

Dueling Flautists

Sheep & Pictograph

Sheep & Pictograph

Here’s a closer look at the smaller pictograph. This figure sure looks like it’s wearing a red cape.

Red Cape

And here’s a closer look at the sheep with a tree-toed paw print in front of it.

Sheep Petroglyph

Ruin Panel

Ruin Panel

Behind the Shield

Behind the Shield

A colorful sunrise from my campsite with the Six-Shooter Peaks and Lavender Point in silhouette on the horizon.

Morning Horizon

Magenta Morning

Magenta Morning

Celebration Panel

Celebration

This lone figure always catches my attention.

Lone Petroglyph

Bowhunter

Bowhunter

It’s been quite a few years since I last visited this panel, so it was nice to return.

Petroglyph Panel

Long Petroglyph Panel

Long Petroglyph Panel

>> Indian Creek Country II Photo Gallery

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