blue lotus adventures

Buckhorn Wash pictograph panel is over 130 feet long and some of the best examples of rock art.  The pictographs are said to be created over 2000 years ago by the Barrier Canyon group, a native American group that were hunter/gatherers in the area.  The painted figures are very clear and distinct as well as impressive.  Hard to believe they have survived thousands of years.  The Barrier Canyon people chose they sites for this art wisely, select walls that are protected by overhangs or natural barriers.  The paint (hematite and animal fat) was absorbed into the sandstone.

Most of the figures have long torsos and short legs.  Some have horns, some have wings and others are very narrow.  There is no way to really understand what these figures represented to the Barrier Canyon people.  This type of rock art is scattered through southern Utah and not found anywhere else.  It is a long drive back to this site in the northern part of the San Rafael Swell but well worth it.

There is also a small number of petroglyphs that were put on the wall during the time of the Fremont Indian.  The well set trail is very short and there are many interpretive signs install by the Bureau of Land Management.