| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 3.00 Miles |
77 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.00 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 0.60 mph |
| 77 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Rinconada Canyon
Petroglyph National Monument
Having previously explored the two areas at Boca Negra Canyon I was eager to take a look at what Rinconada Canyon had to offer. I was astounded at the huge number of petroglyphs that are in this area and very happy that they are now protected by the NPS. I was to discover on this hike the extent of the damage the petroglyphs have suffered over the last century by vandals who somehow can't see the value in these treasures from the past. Rinconada Canyon has the largest concentration of gunshot damage of any of the monuments areas. I absolutely love to go target shooting but I just cannot comprehend the mental process that would determine that a petroglyph was an acceptable target.
I parked just outside the gates of the parking area because I knew that I would not be out of the canyon before 5 pm when the parking area closed and the gates are locked by the rangers. The trail is easy walking and sandy and mostly level. I proceeded along the base of the escarpment and spent the next 5 hours picking my way through the boulders, searching out the petroglyphs one by one and working my way up to the head of the canyon. Once there I continued along the escarpment base on the trail that follows the south canyon perimeter and made a large loop back to the parking area and my car. Along the way I spotted a couple of cottontails playing among the rocks and got a couple of shots of them. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Light
|
|
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
