All images are Copyright 2006 by Mary Saxton Griffin
To receive permission to use images, please contact Mary at msaxton@zianet.com
Shaman Statue at the Park Headquarters
Looking into the canyon that was formed by the Devil's River. |
Guided tours are required in order to visit the canyon. Our tour was led by a couple from the Rock Art Foundation. The tour cost $5.00 per adult. |
We begin our hike down into the canyon at 10:00 AM. The 3:00 PM tour was canceled due the temperatures being over 100! |
As we round a bend I can see the cave we are heading towards. |
A deep cave well protected from the elements. |
The rock is stained black from lichens in the rock and other minerals. |
At the bottom of the basin we can see the Park Headquarters and Ranger Station. |
Turning around and looking the opposite direction offers one a completely different view of the canyon. |
Getting to the cave is only a 1.5 mile hike. There were handrails and steps that made the hike easy and safe. |
One of many monochrome paintings made with red ochre pigment. |
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This "monster" reminded me of the large centipede that we saw crawling on the ground yesterday. |
In 1884 this was the 73rd sighting of pictographs as recorded by Elindfield and Hayward, who worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time. |
The shelf that they stood on to write their names has long collapsed. |
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The sandstone is weathered by the wind in a most intricate pattern. |
Looking out into the canyon. |
The pictographs are deteriorating, partly due to Lake Amistad which has raised the humidity level in the area. It is speculated that we might be the last generation to see these colorful drawings. |
This wall has 4 Shaman that are painted with red, orange, yellow and black pigments. |
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These depressions in the rock almost look like huge footprints. |
Walking back through the canyon. It is now 11:30 AM and the temperature is rising. |
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