This site is enormous – not in terms of surface area as much as in the sheer number of panels and petroglyphs it contains. Around 500 elements are spread across about 25 separate panels on this volcanic outcropping.
As is common with known sites, this one has suffered vandalism. Some designs are defaced, often by gunshots, and some panels have crude designs scratched on them. Fortunately, the majority of the site is still intact.
In the following overview, the path taken around the formation starts at the center of an east-facing alcove and proceeds widdershins (anti-clockwise). The photos follow in that same order.
A single, somewhat crude petroglyph on a rock outcropping.
On this panel some elements, such as the one in the upper left, remain well-defined, while others are heavily damaged. The lower center panel once displayed a concentric circle symbol in addition to some rake-like elements. Looking closely, it appears as if the petroglyph elements shows a little desert varnish whereas the damage is lighter in color. That makes it possible that the damage was caused by crude vandals who chose to interpret the circle symbol as a target.
A boulder densely decorated with Curvilinear symbols.
Faint Rectilinear designs, some of them created by series of pecked dots instead of continuous lines.
This surface, on top of a outcropping, is richly carved. Some symbols appear Representational in nature, such as the fan-shaped object that reminds one of a leaf. There are also some footprints in the upper center of the panel. In the lower left is one of the ubiquitous rake-like Rectolinear symbols found throughout the region.
Continuing to the right, the next section of the outcropping has many circular designs, some connected by lines. Most of the circles consist of two concentric circles, but there are also two solid circles and some shield-like designs.
The outcropping continues. Every suitable surface is covered in designs.
Shield-like designs, Curvilinear designs, Linear elements and many more.
The designs atop the outcropping taper off after this panel. Rake symbols, both with wavy “tines” and straight ones, as well as some other Linear designs round out the panel.
Faint rows of pecked dots form Rectilinear symbols on this rock face.
These shallowly pecked designs give the impression of being wind-scoured.
The three symbols on this lower rock are very deeply etched. The bisected circle and the shield symbol have solid grooves, while the circle in the upper center are pecked.
The faint symbols on this low outcropping include a possible zoomorph or anthropomorph in the center, a rake-like symbol with tines pointed upwards above it, and some simple Linear designs.
A Rectilinear grid with open cells towards the right, where a concentric circle was pecked on the rock.
A digimorphic anthropomorph with a phallus towers over two shield designs and a running deer in the lower portion of this picture.
This panel of shield designs and Rectilinear symbols includes two assemblies of circles connected with lines. The larger one left center looks a little bit like a fanciful space alien!
The adjacent rock face contains many more shields and Rectilinear symbols. A part of the rock has broken away, taking the designs with it.
The reminder of the panel shown in the preceding photo. At the bottom of the rock is a partial concentric circle symbol and a dense series of parallel vertical lines.
The large surface above this rock contains a large Rectilinear design.
Further along the outcropping, a parge panel of Linear and Curvilinear designs is in trouble because the top of the outcropping makes a good perch for inland gulls. For scale, the “ladder-with-one-pole” Rectilinear design visible to the right of the guano streak measures in excess of 6 feet. This large scale makes it probably the tallest Rectilinear symbol in the area. Nearby Chalfant has some circular symbols of similar grandeur, but no Rectilinear symbols stretching to the same height. Look closely at the designs to the lower right of the guano streak. Just to the left of the concentric circle is another digimorphic anthropomorph, also with a phallus. Its left arm ends in a hook similar to the backstop of an atlatl. This could be a representation of a hunter. There is also an anthropomorph above and to the right of the first anthropomorph, with a bighorn sheep to its right, and a deer galloping away from it a little further to the right.
A narrow spur of rock was deemed a good place for some Curvilinear designs. The squiggle line might represent a snake.
The late afternoon sun illuminates a boulder whose designs include a wavy line, top right, and a design reminiscent of a bird’s footprint in the center.
Some of the designs have weathered away into near obscurity.
Another weathered panel. Note that there are also some designs on the lower, unvarnished half of the rock.
A Rectilinear design on a small varnished surface.
High above are some revarnished designs.
The shield symbol on the left is deeply carved, as can be seen by how the angled sunlight casts it into relief. The two symbols on the right are similar to each other, one with the curved ends more angular than the other. The remaining symbol looks a little bit like a fanciful little spaceship.
A small lattice-like design on top of the outcropping.
The following photos shows the elements we just looked at in a wider view in order to make clear how this part of the the site is laid out.
This north-south oriented outcropping bears densely concentrated petroglyphs. The rocks in the center of the picture have some faded elements, and the boulder in the foreground is packed with dense, partially revarnished designs. This is the leftmost portion of this formation. The next two photos continue to the right along the outcropping.
The rock faces in the center bear several interesting designs, and to the right is another densely carved boulder higher up, as well as another that has a huge streak of guano running down it. This view is westerly.
Several of the jumbled lower rocks in this view bear petroglyphs on their southern faces. The cliffs above were also seen in the previous picture.
After examining the outcropping we can turn back to the east for a nice overview of the other outcropping that we started off with. This point of view is taken standing in a sandy alcove between the two formations, and faces east.
The outside, western-facing portion of this formation is almost devoid of any petroglyphs, though there were plenty of opportunities for them. One of the formations does have designs, which was examined more closely earlier.
Close by the parking lot are a few smaller formations bearing petroglyphs. The one shown below has some eroded designs on the lighter face, and an interesting fan-shaped design lower left. I didn’t pay it much attention when I first saw it but when I went through my photos later, I thought that it looked a little like the head and hand of a Kokopeli figure. Kokopeli is widely known from rock art found far to the east of here in Arizona, so it is more likely that this design meant something else. Still, there is evidence that obsidian from this general area was traded as far as Arizona, so it is possible that this design somehow travelled back with the traders.
A monolithic boulder with some eroded designs.
These are likely the first petroglyphs that someone who has just parked will see. This busy eroded panel is on a stand-alone monolith. Most of the other designs are on the main outcropping behind and to the right.
The final grouping of designs at this site is interesting because they likely refer to the “water baby” legend, which states that petroglyphs and pictographs were made not by Native Americans, but by a spirit helper who is still at work changing them.
The tracks of the “water baby” runs across a nearby outcropping.
A closer look at the water baby footprints. From this angle there is also a row of three more prints visible on the adjacent rock face.
Looking back at the “Kokopeli” rock, we see that the water baby left three footprints there, too!
Finally, we can see that another nearby rocks bears some footprints as well as a handprint or two. The water baby has been very busy in this area!
This site is extensive and interesting to explore. Most of the designs have escaped harm but some of the more accessible ones have suffered damage. If you visit, please refrain from climbing over the designs or damaging them – this way they can remain for the visitors after you to enjoy as much as you did.
I was just visiting red rock canyon for the 1st time last week. I had no idea there were amazing petroglyphs there. No-one told me and I didn’t ask!
Dumb i wish I knew. If I ever return how do I find out where they are?
I work for Yale University at their Natural History museum and love seeing things like I just looked at on your site.
Is there a map or tour available showing locations?
I’d love to have a copy.
Any information would be appreciated.
Maishe Dickman