A Return to Petroglyph Wash

 If you're intrigued by Native American petroglyphs like I am, you would really enjoy visiting this wash. My previous visit was about a year ago, and this post gives you a good overview of the glyphs you see as you hike up the wash. There is one panel of glyphs that was a favorite:

I got to wondering how these beautiful glyphs might look under the moonlight. I was also looking forward to showing Petroglyph Wash to my hiking partners who had never seen it, so off we went. It's a heck of a long drive (on top of my 2 hour drive out to my desert house), and also a significant hike. This area gets few visitors.

 

Looks like the profile of a grumpy face!

 

There were a lot more plants blooming than last time I was here, so I challenged myself to try to capture glyphs and flowers together. You see the glyph?

 

A closer view of the glyph.

 

This is called Ghost flower. What a beauty!

 

Nadine amongst the purple blooms.

 

I'm totally intrigued by these desert ironwood trees. As you can see, they can get to by quite large (especially by desert standards). They commonly live for 800-1,500+ years. Yes, you read that right! The wood is so dense and toxic to fungi that, after the tree dies, the remaining trunk or snag can remain for another 1,600 years or more, standing dead for centuries. They are a critical species and considered "old growth". Unfortunately, the wood is highly prized for things like making knife handles and in some areas the trees have been over-harvested. Imagine these same trees being here as Native Americans traveled this wash on their way to finding a water source!

Ironwood snag. Probably 2000+ years old!

 

Multiple faint glyphs.

 

Perhaps not surprisingly, I find my memory is a little off during the hike. I recall the glyphs being closer, but as we continue up the wash and the sun is setting, I'm unable to find it. We decide for one last push up the wash, over or around non-stop boulders...

Finally!! I was feeling terrible that we couldn't find it after all the time and effort we put in, so this is a relief.

Petroglyph rock by moonlight.

 

With a bright moon and clouds, we didn't get many stars, but a beautiful night!

Does this shape remind you of a cell phone??

 

Now for the hard part. Climbing down this wash in the dark by headlamp prroves to be a challenge!
 

Finally out of the difficult part of the wash, my hiking partners look like ghosts because of the long exposure.

This Ironwood snag casts a eerie shadow!

 

I'm up early the next morning and treated to this beautiful desert sunrise!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.