Slab Rock Pictograph Site

 I ran out of time last week on my post, so this is actually a continuation of that same hike (Echo T hike). When you have to split a hike into two or even three posts, you know it was a good one!

As you can tell from the photo above, the sun is low on the horizon, so my hiking time is limited. I'm searching for a small pictograph site I literally stumbled across years ago, and haven't been back since. I think I remember it being in this area, but memory can do funny things as the years pass.

 

I climb up on some boulders to get a better view of my surroundings. I know I'm getting close. What a beautiful time of day, with the long shadows and golden light. I love all the Joshua Trees in this area... like a little JT forest.

 

This looks familiar. Very close now.

 

Ah, there it is. Just a shallow alcove located on a huge rock slab. From this distance, you can't see anything, so let's take a closer look.
 

Definitely some rock art here. I'm using dStretch to enhance the pictograph colors a little. In this late afternoon light, my eye is drawn first to what looks like black pictographs, which are pretty rare. I can see something that looks like a rectangle with rounded edges and two short, thick lines coming off the upper right corner (lower center/right of the photo). Above that, something that reminds me of the roman numeral III. Normal erosion on the rock surface or actual pictographs?? You decide.

 

There's no shortage of ochre colored pictographs in this little alcove!

 

Just as exciting a find as these pictographs is this beautiful bedrock mortar very near the alcove.

So perhaps this was a seasonal stopping point for a family or small group of Native Americans (since there is only one mortar) where nuts or seeds would be ground up as part of the food preparation process. Another guess might be that this site was used to prepare the ochre dye used to make the pictographs. Notice that the area around the mortar has a faint reddish stain.
 

View from inside the alcove, looking out. Whatever this site was used for, it's a delightful spot with a nice "feel" which makes me want to linger. But it's time to move on.
 

I took this photo on the hike back to the car, but as I posted this, I couldn't remember why. Maybe just for the golden light on the rocks? Then I noticed all the little dark specks in the sky. That was it... a large "swarm" (I'm sure that's not the right word) of turkey vultures were riding the thermals on this particular day. It was quite a sight, but I only had my wide angle lens with me, so you will have to use your imagination a little bit!
 

With the sun setting, I can't resist taking one last photo. Click... put the camera away.

Wait... one more. Click, put the camera away.

Wait... one more. Click, put the camera away.

Wait... one more. Click, put the camera away.

Seriously... the last last photo!

 

Thanks for joining me to check out the Slab Rock pictographs!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.