Sunday, September 22, 2024
Even though I needed to spend part of today finishing up getting packed and prepared for a week-long river trip down the Canyon of Lodore that I would be leaving for early on Monday, I still wanted to get outside for a couple hours this morning and thought that this would be a good opportunity to return to the Book Cliffs for some further exploring as I checked out a few rock art sites. I had actually tried to explore this part of the Book Cliffs late last month, but was turned back by wet weather and slick muddy roads that day, so I thought I would give it another try today. I woke up early on Sunday morning, grabbed a quick breakfast and headed west into Utah shortly before sunrise. Here are some photos from along the way…
Driving into the Book Cliffs at dawn. It was a bit cloudy out this morning, but the clouds would clear up soon enough.
Sunrise in the Book Cliffs
The warm light from sunrise was looking nice as I searched for my first pictograph panel of the day.
The clouds did eventually begin to clear out…
The location of these little pictographs were very interesting as they were painted/drawn on the underside and near the back of a small overhang. I almost missed them completely!
Little Atlatl Man
Upside Down Pictographs
Here’s a better look at the upside-down pictographs turned rightside-up.
Even though it was very faint, the Radar Man Panel was very interesting.
Radar Man
I climbed up a steep and loose talus slope to reach this faded Barrier Canyon Style figure, which I thought was the only thing up there.
However, while I was looking at the lone figure above, I noticed this much nicer panel right next to it which was almost impossible to see in direct sunlight, so I waited around until it was in the shade.
After a couple hours in the Book Cliffs it was time to start heading back home so I could load up my Jeep with my river gear.
I took a different way back to the highway and passed by this old shack along the way.
