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The Hitchhiker

posted in Rock Art

The Hitchhiker

‘The Hitchhiker’ is a surprisingly well preserved Barrier Canyon Style anthropomorph hidden in a remote canyon of southern Utah. It’s part of a larger pictograph panel known as The Perfect Panel because of it’s amazing state of preservation. It’s obvious where the nickname ‘hitchhiker’ comes from while looking at this figure, but if you look closely at the ‘extended’ thumb you will notice that the finger is shorter than the other fingers. There is actually a small zoomprph figure right below the thumb that makes it look longer if you don’t pay close attention to the details. This anthropomorph also has a highly stylized ‘attending dog’ type figure on it’s shoulder.

The Perfect Panel is probably the most elaborate and best preserved pictograph panel I have had the pleasure of visiting so far. I will definitely be posting more photos from this panel in the future!

>> From the Maze to the Mesa

Big Crane

posted in Rock Art

Big Crane

A beautifully executed Basketmaker petroglyph of what appears to be a large crane, hidden in one of the many canyons of Comb Ridge. With this photo I tried to convey the perception of the crane in flight by using the natural striations in the sandstone. The small curved step in the sandstone below the large bird gave me a nice lower frame for the scene, as well. Comb Ridge holds many secrets for those willing to explore it, and this large crane petroglyph is surely one of the numerous exceptional ones!

>> Lower Butler Wash and More…

The Guardian

posted in Rock Art

The Guardian

Say hello to The Guardian. This prominent figure greets you as you enter the Canyon Pintado National Historic District from the south. Located at the White Hands site, it’s a very short walk to visit this pictograph along the highway. Is this anthropomorph Barrier Canyon Style or is it Fremont? According to the interpretative sign below, it is believed that this figure might be from a transitional period between Barrier Canyon Style and Fremont. Either way, this is a very unique pictograph in a highly visible location.

>> White River Area Rock Art

A Great Hunting Scene

posted in Rock Art

A Great Hunting Scene

This is probably one of the most famous petroglyph panels around. The Great Hunt Panel in Cottonwood Canyon, a side canyon of Nine Mile Canyon, is an incredible display of Fremont petroglyphs. One theory about this panel is that the horned anthropomorphic figure near the middle and top of the panel may represent a hunt shaman with a herd of bighorn sheep during a migration and that the lines connecting all of the figures may represent consanguinity. Whatever the possible meaning behind this panel, the fact remains that it is a must-see site for any rock art enthusiast!

>> Nine Mile Canyon

Horse & Lichen

posted in Rock Art

Horse & Lichen

This historical and beautifully incised horse is carved right above the very colorful lichen on this sandstone wall. It is believed that this horse was most likely created by a Ute which may depict their encounters with the U.S. Calvary. The number ‘8’ on the front hip of the horse is most likely a brand that has been traced back to General Crook’s command, who was chasing the Apache through Arizona and New Mexico in the late 1800s. It’s possible this carving may be of a captured horse.

While visiting this site, the biting gnats were terrible! If I stopped moving for more than a few seconds they swarmed around me and were unbearable. As I searched the area I was lucky to find a few of the petroglyphs, including this one, and managed to pull off a few photos before the bugs overran me. I’m sure I missed some petroglyphs at this site since I had to keep moving, so I will need to return another time to finish exploring.

>> White River Area Rock Art

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