« Posts tagged pictographs

Black Dragon Creature

Black Dragon Creature

Before heading home last night, I made one last stop at the Black Dragon pictographs since it has been a while since I was last there. Thanks to recent flash-flooding, the road through the canyon was rougher than I remember it. I wasn’t sure if the pictographs would be in the sun or the shade, but when I arrived I found that the panel was bathed in some nice late evening sunlight. I also found out just how well the alcove traps heat. The temperature outside was in the upper 90’s, and this alcove must have been at least 10-20 degrees hotter! I could really feel the heat coming off of the sandstone as I climbed up to this panel….I ended up not sticking around too long because of it. I’m guessing this would be a great place to warm up in the colder winter months.

These two figures are found to the right of the well known ‘black dragon’ pictograph. There is the interesting anthropomorphic figure on the left and the large creature on the right which looks like it may possibly represent a dog, which is common in the Barrier Canyon Style, but I’m not 100% sure on that so I’ll stick to just calling it a creature. What I like about this scene is the lines in the sandstone that seem to radiate towards these two figures. However, I don’t like that most of the pictographs in this area are outlined in chalk.

>> A Hot Day in the Swell Searching for Rock Art

Fly Away

Fly Away

Here’s a very intriguing Barrier Canyon Style pictograph that Philippe and I accidentally discovered in the San Rafael Swell last month. This is just the very top portion of the panel I’ve called The Unexpected Panel and it is very well preserved…it’s also my favorite part of this entire panel! The ‘holes’ in this figures’ hands and feet remind me of the Skeleton Shaman located at the Head of Sinbad, though this one has much longer and curved fingers. It seems to be interacting somehow with the ‘flying circles’ which might represent birds? Below those ‘flying circles’ there also appears to be a dog-like zoomorph with some details painted in it’s body that are reminiscent of the Intestine Man near Moab.

>> An Unexpected Surprise in the Swell

Horseshoe Gallery

Horseshoe Gallery

Horseshoe Canyon, previously known as Barrier Canyon, is a very special place. It’s also the location where Barrier Canyon Style rock art derived it’s name from. There are many pictograph panels located in this canyon including the famous Great Gallery. From the main trailhead you will pass the Horseshoe Gallery on your way to the Great Gallery. While this panel might not be as large or as detailed as Great Gallery, I find it very striking. I think it might be because many of the figures seem to be purposely painted on the lighter horizontal stripe of the canyon wall, which helps to frame them.

>> Horseshoe Canyon Pictographs

Through the Arch

Through the Arch

A small Barrier Canyon Style pictograph panel in the San Rafael Swell viewed through a small arch in the sandstone. The day I visited this site (and a couple of others) it had been snowing on us all morning and never let up the whole day. Fortunately, this panel was well protected under a nice overhang so I could get this photo. Of course, the view through the arch required that I stand in the snow to see it, but it hardly mattered as I was already soaked from head to toe…..the things I do to see rock art!

>> Snow Day in the Swell

Sego Snake Man

Sego Snake Man

Sego Canyon in the Book Cliffs contains three culturally distinct styles of rock art that are all in close proximity to each other: Fremont, Ute and Barrier Canyon Style. This site is well known and an easy side trip when you are travelling along I-70. Unfortunately, with easy access come vandalism and these panels are no exception to that rule. Thankfully, the main panels located here have been restored as best as could be done. However, some of the other panels in the vicinity have some severe damage.

The above photo is just a small portion of the very large Barrier Canyon Style pictograph panel located here. This is one of the more unique anthropomorphs located here and is surrounded by snakes on each side and many interesting circle figures. I know I’ll eventually be posting a wider view of this panel sometime in the future so you can see the full thing.

Since this site is not too far from home, and I’m usually driving past it almost every weekend, I end up stopping there at least a few times throughout the year…..it never gets old.

>> Short Trip to the Book Cliffs