Moab Area Rock Art VII

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Solstice Snake

On Sunday I met my friend Marty who was going to take me to the Solstice Snake petroglyph. I have been searching for this particular petroglyph for a while and was hoping to find it before this year’s solstice. Marty had visited this particular petroglyph about 14 years ago and wanted to return. He had a general idea of where it was located, but not an exact location. Luckily his general location was close enough for us to eventually find it, even after going the wrong way and having to scramble around on many scree slopes…..adding an extra 2-3 miles to our hike for a total of 9.75 miles round trip. Even with the extra hiking, it was a great adventure and we had fun searching the area.

I, as usual, took a number of photos of the large snake petroglyph, so here are a few of them 🙂

The Big Snake
The Big Snake

It’s a big petroglyph. I’ve been told it’s over 17 feet long. Here’s a photo with me (taken by Marty) for some scale.

The Serpent & I
The Serpent & I

…and now Marty with the snake.

Marty & the Snake
Marty & the Snake

A different view.

Solar Snake
Solar Snake

Face to face with the serpent.

The Serpent
The Serpent

After spending some time at the Big Snake, we continued our search for a pithouse and ‘Altar Table,’ as Marty referred to it, that was supposed to be nearby. We managed to find these after some searching, too.

We first came across the remains of a pithouse….and then I found these small petroglyphs on the cliff behind it.

Pithouse Petroglyphs
Pithouse Petroglyphs

Next I found some more petroglyphs as we searched for the ‘altar’

Pithouse Panels
Pithouse Panels

Closer views of each panel…

Pithouse Second Panel
Pithouse Second Panel

Circles Panel
Circles Panel

Finally we found the ‘Altar Table’ hidden in a small alcove nearby that we had to scramble up to. This is certainly one of the more unique scenes that I have come across while out exploring. Marty has a photos of this same setup that he took 14 years ago and was surprised to see that everything was still there. There were some petroglyphs here, too.

The Altar Table
The Altar Table

Marty at the Altar
Marty at the Altar

Another small petroglyph panel located above the ‘Altar Table’

Curly Arms
Curly Arms

The hike pretty much took us most of the day and we were pretty worn out by the time we reached our Jeeps again, but it was certainly worth it. I’m looking forward to heading back in June for the solstice!…..minus the heat….

 

Check out my other posts in the Moab Area Rock Art Series:

Moab Area Rock Art I | Colorado River Gorge / Golf Course / Kane Creek
Moab Area Rock Art II | Kane Creek Canyon & Potash Road
Moab Area Rock Art III | Mill Creek Canyon / Kane Creek / Bartlett Panel
Moab Area Rock Art IV | The Secret Grotto & More
Moab Area Rock Art V | Hidden Valley & Behind the Rocks
Moab Area Rock Art VI | Yellow Comet Alcove
Moab Area Rock Art VII | Solstice Snake
Moab Area Rock Art VIII | Dark Angel Petroglyphs
Moab Area Rock Art IX | Mill Creek Canyon