blue lotus adventures

I’ve heard of this pictograph and always assumed it was difficult to get to.  Fortunately I researched a little more on this recent trip to Utah and found it is relatively easy and not far out of the way.  Black Canyon runs parallel to U.S. Route 70 just west of Green River, UT.

A dirt road travels through Black Canyon but only suitable by 4×4 if you drive the entire canyon.  Park at the mouth of Black Canyon which is obvious when you reach it.   The walk to the rock art is easy until you reach the fenced in area.

There are two sections. On the canyon floor behind the fence to the right is a unique calendar system. This is on the canyon floor and easy to reach. The style of this “calendar” is different than the style found above of the dragon and alien/ghost figures and is most likely created by the Fremont Indians. There is some unfortunate vandalism that has occurred here.

High on the wall to the left there are several alien and ghostly figures. It is a difficult hike up on loose terrain. Once you reach the figures, make your way slightly right and you’ll find the “dragon.” If you look closely at it, the dragon looks more like it was one of the alien figure bending over slightly with some animal in the background.  The legs just don’t line up with the head.  The white chalk outlining the art is not original to the art. It was placed there in the 1920’s as that was the practice. This is no longer done and illegal to write or deface the wall in any way.  This rock art is in the Barrier Canyon style and some of the oldest pictographs in Utah.

Directions:  Drive west on US route 70 from Green River.  After about 16 miles, at mile marker 147, there is a dirt turn off.  Go down to the gate and open.  After driving through, be sure to close the gate again.