These pictographs are found in a low cave at the foot of a volcanic ridge. This low cave is about 5 feet high, requiring one to stoop to enter. It is fairly wide, though – probably three or so times as wide as it is high.
This site is perched in a steep draw, close to good water sources. As such, there are plentiful signs of habitation scattered among the jumble of boulders in the vicinity.
This site is north of a small creek and has pictographs on three different concave cliff faces. The majority of elements are on a south-facing cliff, while the rest are on two side walls of a small alcove.
This little gem was an accidental discovery: I had caught wind of the presence of a pictograph cave in the vicinity and was availing myself of an opportunity to look for it. Since the Volcanic Tablelands are known for petroglyphs, not pictographs, I was interested to see what the pictographs in this area looked like!
( In fact, I know of only three pictograph sites in this area, and they are all within a few miles of each other, suggesting a cultural intrusion into this area. )
This famous site is one of the better known and oldest sites in the Volcanic Tablelands area. These petroglyphs are believed to date back at least 3,500 years, and some of them could date back around 8,000 years, when the area was first settled.
Today it is partially fenced to deter vandals, and this is unfortunately needed, given the vandalism the site has suffered over the years: shotgun damage as well as graffiti.
Fortunately, most of the petroglyphs survive intact and the site is still well worth a visit. Continue reading