East Four Mile Rock Art

 This pictograph, above is interestingly called a Sun Dagger site.  These circles are all perfectly bisected in half by the shadow of the sun on the rock overhang at a certain time of day.  Apparently, this one bisects at about 10 AM Mountain Daylight Time.

 These two panels were probably created by hunter-gatherers.  They were located in what is called the East Four Mile Recreation area along Highway 139 south of Rangely, Colorado.

There are multiple styles shown on this panel.  There are depictions of corn, a snake, and anthropomorphs.  My guide book says Freemont style, but also Barrier Canyon Style.

Modern Rock Art near Rangely, Colorado

 This is rock art from what is known as the Crooks Brand site.  These horse petroglyphs bear the brand used by General Crook, dating them into more (relatively speaking) modern times. 

 The petroglyphs are just around the corner from this dramatic sandstone hoodoo rock formation.

Carrot People - Rock Art

 I just love these Carrot People.  I saw a picture of these and just HAD to find them - it took a bit of exploration.  They are on BLM land - a long ways down a gravel road south of Rangely, Colorado and then you turn off onto a dirt road.  Then there is a bit of a hike.  No signage. 

I will be doing some art with these carrot people someday.  I cannot really say why they excite me so much - but they do.  I guess the lack of feet / legs gives them an especially ethereal quality.

Rangely Rock Art

 There is Rock Art scattered around the Rangely, Colorado area in at least a dozen locations.  Last spring, we drove through the area and spent a day driving around on dirt roads trying to find them.  We did pretty well!

 This one - called the Guardian is large.  It is located along the highway.  We parked across the highway and walked across to get a closer look.  It includes a very large Kokopeli (flute player).  Shown closer, below.  A cable has been anchored across the front of it because it is about to erode away - or rather it is about to fall off in a big chunk.  These sandstone bluffs erode easily - of course that's why they made such a good surface for the Rock Art.  These examples are pictographs because they are made with pigment rather than carving, and so they fade over time.

I just love rock art!  I will be sharing some of our discoveries over the next several Travel Log Tuesdays!