The Ancients

Procession Panel Panorama

Procession panel Petroglyph, near the top of Comb Ridge. The panel is at one of the few places where it would be possible to ascend Comb Ridge from it's steep western side.

Sun Dagger

Closeup of the Sun Dagger.

Big Crane Petroglyph

The Big Crane. This remarkable petroglyph is perahps 80 cm tall.

Horse Collar Ruin

Looking at the unusual doorways, you see why it's called Horse Collar ruins

Hands Across Time

Hand prints. This is just part of a very extensive panel of hand prints at this site.

Split Level Ruins, Grand Gulch

The next morning we walked back up to Split Level ruins to explore it.

Dotted Anthropomorphs

We went into Sheiks Canyon, which had flowing water, and some of the best petroglyphs in this part of Grand Gulch, at Green Mask Spring. There are LOTS of petroglyphs along this wall.

Green Mask Pictograph

And this is the namesake Green Mask pictograph

Perfect Kiva, Bullet Canyon

After breakfast, we packed up and started hiking out Bullet. But just around the corner, so to speak, is Perfect Kiva which demands a stop. It is so-called because the roof is intact, and visitors are permitted to climb down the ladder (a reconstruction; the original ladder is in the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding.)

Inside Perfect Kiva

Inside Perfect Kiva. The current ladder is a reproduction; the original is at the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding.

Aztec Doorways

Doorway alignment at Aztec Ruins #2

Aztec Wall With Bluestone

Bluestone trim in the walls at Aztec

Monarch Ruins

A panorama of the Monarch ruins cave

Monarch Flaming House

The alcove roof above this section of Monarch is reminiscent of the "House on Fire" ruins

Wolfman Panel Petroglyphs

Panrorma of the Wolfman petroglyphs near Comb Ridge

Montezuma Rock Art

Up the road in Montezuma Canyon, we found some nice rock art. This would be relatively recent, given the warriors mounted on horseback, perhaps pursuing elk and bison.

Painted Hand Tower

Painted Hand ruin, sitting on a large outcropping of sandstone.

Hovenweep Sunrise

Hovenweep Castle at sunrise. Dating of timbers in the structure indicate the logs were cut in AD 1277, one of the latest Anasazi structures in the San Juan Basin.

Twin Towers of Hovenweep

Twin Towers ruins at sunrise

Big Warrior Panel

Big Warrior, Navaho petroglyph

Feathered Back Man

Male Navaho deity figure. Note the feathered hump, staff, and mountain sheep horns.

Big Warrior (Color)

Big Warrior Panel.

Elk Hunt Petroglyph

Note the spear through the elk figure's heart.

Petroglyph, historic

Note some (Spanish?) figures on horseback.