I agree with you about picking up after your horse! It makes since if you are supposed to pick up after your dog how much more for a horse who has a lot more to leave behind!
You're right about the video not showing the awesomeness of the pictographs. When I was there, I asked the ranger there if he would walk up as close to the base of the cliff as he could, and I shot a pic to give scale. That largest one, with all the detail, is over seven feet tall. They look so alien. I think the shape they painted represents the ceremonial costume they wore, this the broad shoulders and tapered body. I can agree with anthropologists who hypothesize that the Shaman would isolate himself and consume herbs like peyote to paint. Also, the ranger told me that the pictographs are high because they used scaffolding to climb up and paint. I'm surprised that there was no ranger there when you visited. Most awesome rock art that I've ever seen!
Those are so large, and so high at 9:13. I'm trying to picture people up on long ladders made from tree trunks, but are there even any trees that long. And what did they use for 'paint' that lasted 400 to 800 years? I can no longer hike, and sure enjoy your videos.
About the horse poop. . . I have some recent news and information you might like to know. I've been hiking this wonderful canyon off and on since 1991. No horses in the canyon, but there are many wild burros. They are in the process of being removed and the canyon protected from them. On my last hike here three months ago (September, 2021), I befriended a ranger and hiked back out with him. He told me the burros have been down in here since the Spanish first came through with their domestic stocks, so maybe 400+ years. They are a nuisance and a mess, though, and they are not actually native, so the NPS is spending about $30k to build a serious fence up-canyon to keep them out. I don't know what their timeline is for that. The burros are stealthy and hard to spot, but we did get to see a group of about nine on the opposite side of the canyon, walking along a fairly high and narrow bench as if they were mountain goats or something. Their braying often echoes down the canyon.
@@SUVRVing I would suggest solar powered video cameras that are motion activated....im in texas now, and have been to couple way out places that do that here
I'm really happy that I can share places like this. I'm sure I'll be in your situation at some point and will be doing the same thing with other people's videos. I'll do what I can when I can. Thanks Larry.
The best part of your videos is the detail you give. Locations, how to get there, what to look for. :) I really enjoy your hikes and shots of beauty and detail. I agree on the horse poo we have to walk through, they aren't very considerate at all. :( Great Job!
One of the highlights of my life was hiking Horseshoe. I almost didn't make it back up. I think I was around 50. You are smart to do all things while you are young.
That is some beautiful country that you are in. The pictographs were amazing. Some of the best yet. I haven't seen any up close and personal, but can imagine how beautiful they would be. I really enjoy when you show these to us. Not only for the art, but usually the great hikes it takes to reach them. Thanks for a great adventure. Davin
I noticed at 9:52 the depth proportion of the pictorgragh, like people were standing behide each other. I have never seen that in any other of your videos about pictorgraphs. True art !
I've made over 60 trips down into Horseshoe Canyon as a volunteer for the Maze District of Canyonlands. It was fun watching your video of a place I'm very familiar with. I would like you to do a return visit as you missed a couple of small but still interesting panels. At the Shelter site, there is a path that goes up and behind the large pile of rocks on the right of the main panel. At the end of that short path there is some interesting native American art to include a snake petroglyph on a large flat rock across from the fenced in panel. That location also gives views to art on the main panel that can't be seen from below. At the Great Gallery, there is a short path that cuts left of the main panel that gives views to some interesting figures that can't be seen from the main viewing area. As a volunteer, I've talked to so many visitors who have hiked Horseshoe Canyon multiple times and have not seen these images. One more thing...I agree with you that the dinosaur print on the main trail leaves a lot to interpretation...but...just off the path, on the left as you are walking down trail, there is a very well defined print on a vertical rock face. It's actually the print that is pictured in the kiosk at the trailhead. I've recently discovered your site and enjoy it greatly. Keep up the good work! If I'm able to send you photos, and if you're interested, let me know. I can send photos of the things you missed at Horseshoe Canyon.
My fav. Part was all of the video. Goblin valley, horseshoe canyon and little wild horse are on my favorite list. We hiked Horseshoe ln late August, it was 110 degrees in the canyon. Started too late at 8am, was already over 80. 2 liters of water not enough. Happy to make it out as the climb out of the canyon faces south with no shade. Bring lots of water for summer hiking there!
My favourite part of this video? Dead easy - you're panning across the rolling red sand dunes-scape, when a [small] bunch of snow-capped mountains appear, on the horizon, seemingly completely out of place ...
Yeah, that was a really cool spot. Those were the Henry Mountains. Interestingly, those are were the last mountain range in the lower 48 states to be mapped. Even today it's a remote area. Thanks Graeme.
I could sit and look at those pictograph panels for hours. Yes, they are indeed haunting. Thank goodness they've remained untouched. Thanks for taking us to such an amazing şite. Stay safe 😊
WOW! great pictographs-so big and clear-I've seen some of the others you have shown but i also did not go to that part of the park when i was there-due to time constraints-now i doubt if i could do the hike-so really glad to see them vicariously through your eyes
Tristan, Those pictographs were haunting, as you said. I've seen modern paintings that look lots like them. Now I know their origin. Keep up your good work and hikes!
Utah is one of the most beautiful states I've explored and have barely touched a fraction of it. What I did like... the entire vlog. What I didn't like... when it ended. I looked over this area in Google Earth on my desktop with a big screen, so beautiful! The textures are amazing!
I'm not even sure which is my favorite part of the video - the incredible art panels, the other-worldly red sand dune fields, or that last perfect campsite. But "We've run into some heavy traffic" with the cattle had me laughing out loud.
Another great adventure. The Great Gallery is now on my bucket list. I have to admit that I somewhat agree with A GIRL AND A DOG. What I find so fascinating and intriguing about rock art is that we marvel at how accurate and clear the images of say a dog, deer, or man holding a spear are. But when we see an image of large beings with strange heads or incredible looking hybrid animals, we wonder 'what could they mean by this image?' It is no different than the other images...they were painting WHAT THEY WERE SEEING. IMHO. Anyway, thanks for showing us these amazing hidden gems of the Southwest.
Thanks Brian, I'm glad you liked the video. Modern humans come up with all sorts of detailed myths and legends and stories (take the Lord of the Rings trilogy or Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia) that contain fantastic creatures of one sort or another. I don't know why ancient humans would be any different. I don't believe they were "seeing" anything, just using their minds to think of what could be. That's my take on it, anyway.
My favorite part of the video is that all of it is near perfect, I like the video as it is with no changes. A little bit more detail/explanation in the comments about historical places would be appreciated, but that is not necessary, the video is excellent as it is, as are all your videos. I really liked the small arch and that you added dimensions and what caught my eye was the left side of the picture with a rock form that was a little higher. Your details are always fun to listen to.
I spent 2 nights outside Island in the Sky district. I need to go to this section of Canyonlands. The dunes and rock art were my favorite parts. Also the slot canyon pics you shared.
If you liked the slot canyon pics, stay tuned! I go through a couple of slot canyons in the following days on this trip. Canyonlands is a great park. TONS to see and do there. Thanks Shawn.
What incredible sights you share with us, loving all the pictographs! I'm fine tuning my setup in a CRV, and have a goal to take a two-week adventure in Utah, hopefully next year. I'm taking notes on all the awesome places!
Awesome! You'll have a great time on your Utah trip. It's a great place. And I'd love to see pics of your CRV camping setup once you've got everything figured out.
I was in that area in the Summer of 2022 and saw some amazing art. I worked my way back through Nevada to my home in California, but I too was struck by the thought of what life was like for Native Americans in these areas. But as I baked in the heat of some of these places, it occured to me, this is nothing like what it looked like thousands of years ago. It was much cooler, likely wetter, with more wildlife, at least larger wildlife with streams and rivers and fish. So, life may of been way easier than we think, or at least much easier than it would be trying to survive there in the last few hundred years.
I have to wonder if the artwork is that of evil spirits. I noticed one figure with what appears to be a spear, aiming it at the larger figure as if it was trying to fend it off. Cool stuff. I'd have to say that was my favorite part of the video; that and the dry wash road you took to get to the last camp site. I wonder what it looks like after heavy rains.
At a visitor center I went to the next day, there was actually a photo of a RAV4 that had been destroyed after being hit by a flash flood in that dry wash. So there must be a hefty amount of water at least.
Loved the entire video! You do excellent work. Those cliff paintings are a gift from the ancients. One request, when filming them could you zoom in closer, or was that limited by your camera? Anyway, thanks for sharing this fantastic adventure!
I've done Islands in the Sky and The Needles. The views at Island were amazing but it's close to the Moab mob scene. I really liked Needles due to it's remoteness. Nice to get a taste of Horseshoe Canyon from your video - like the remoteness aspect of it and those Archaic rock markings are impressive. Your campsite at 15:40 was like a painting with the arching dendritic limbs of the trees cast against the stark mountainous background. Are you going to venture into The Maze section in the future?
The Maze is the one section of the park that I haven't yet been to, and yes, I will absolutely be going there in the future. It looks awesome. Definitely not easy to get to though. Thanks Ted!
These are in great condition. It's amazing something like this will last that long. I'm sure due to the climate, but still...Gotta agree re: the horses. Last week just dealt with that. With a dog it's impossible because (well no comment--disgusting). I decided I have to go back in winter, when it's not so bad. I always clean up after the dog, either carrying out or burying. No I don't like them on the same trails either would prefer them on dedicated trails.
I enjoy all these awesome locations you share and will have to visit. My concern is internet access to check in on my business at the end of the day. Do you struggle to get internet at most of your campsites? I laughed about the traffic and my favorite part was the sand dunes with the mountains in the back!
I'd say I struggle to get internet at about half of my campsites. But getting online every day isn't really a priority. As long as I can get on every few days, I'm OK. In your case, it would be easy enough to just stick to places with good cell access.
Closer to the beginning of this video you passed a cliff that had 4 or 5 large smooth round holes in a linear pattern. Have you seen them closer and do you know anything about them?
The wall art is amazing. Kinda makes you wonder with the shapes of the bodies and heads if they were modeled after something not of this world! I mean how did they come up with that stuff? Either way, pretty amazing. The other question I have for you is how often do you run into snakes and scorpions at your camp sites? Surely there must be little lizards and such roaming around yes?
I think the figures just represent people or people's spirits. Nothing too crazy. Maybe this style is like our stick figures. Neither style really looks like a person; that's just how we/they represent(ed) people. In the past few years, I've encountered only one snake (a rattlesnake) at a campsite. I run into them much more often when I'm out hiking. I'd say I see 6-10 snakes a year, with the majority of them being rattlesnakes. I see lizards all the time. They're everywhere in arid areas. And I've never once seen a scorpion while camping or hiking. In the past 14 years or so that I've been wandering the western US, I've seen a scorpion exactly one time, and I was rock climbing. They're definitely out there, but they're nocturnal, so I never run into them.
Have you seen the structures in the woods " very big trees" same forms x ,y ,tee pees and with the trees in the air,not done by people or machines they can go for miles?
Yep, the camera has 16 or 18x optical zoom, which comes in really handy. Yes, those were ammo cans. They actually had binoculars in them, so you could sit on the little benches and use the binoculars to take a closer look at the rock art.
Unbelievable! I actually had to pause the video so I could look at the pictographs a little longer. LOL What were the round "tunnel looking" parts of the rock? (around 4:56) Was this just part of the rock, meaning how they were formed? Thanks! Super video!!
Hi Carol. Those holes are called "tafoni." They're naturally occurring features resulting from the rock being weathered. Here's the Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tafoni
The panels are beautiful and better than the Louvre Museum. I see more human and dog poop than horse poop. Also, it may be Mustang poop; animal poop is as natural as the rocks & sand we walk on. Anyway, I was more concerned about someone stealing the tooth... ;-)
Seeing this reminds me of my touristy hikes ( I'm from Pennsylvania but love the southwest ) at goblins , little wild horse and capitol reef and its cathedral valley section. on that trip we also went down hole in the rock road to a spur road to hiked the zebra , spooky slots with a quick stop at devils garden and later that night in Escalante by a few quirks of fate ended up helping a guy survive a heart attack. I was the only one not to panic got him comfortable gave him my asprin ( always carry them as I'm old and was a boy scout so be prepared is drilled into me lol)) Got two thumbs up from the paramedics who arrive 40 min later. Then on to capital reef some 70 miles away.
Do you ever have any encounters with rattlesnakes on the trails? I would think in some of the areas where you hike that you probably see them from time to time.
Hi Theresa. No, the trail isn't marked. I had a map on my phone that I followed. And the trail itself is easy enough to follow if you're paying attention.
Horses and mules.... There are some trails, like on the Grand Canyon's south rim, that are ruined by them. Nevermind the droppings; the piss pools really are terrible.
Hmm, that's a tough one. Even though the sign at the trailhead said 6.5 miles round trip for the hike, I think my GPS logged about 8 miles total. The hike itself isn't difficult, just long. I suppose you could always just hike down to the first two panels and then turn back if you guys need to. That would shorten the hike considerably. And if you're feeling good, you could keep going. Just don't do it when it's hot. There's not much shade on this hike.
Thank You I am wondering what do you think the meaning is you have seen so many and can tell you must be getting some consciousness as you sit and enjoy the art..' I see them as warning of some kinda evil control they were in"
I don't know the meaning, and I'm not convinced that there has to be some deep meaning to it. And I certainly don't think it has to be some malicious or evil meaning. Modern humans create art and imagery for all sorts of reasons, and I think the same is true for ancient humans. The rock art in the video here could have a meaning as simple as, "This is our place, and we want everyone who passes through here to know that this is our place." Or "We like the way this cliff looks with all of these figures on it."
Oh.. meant to ask. Could you have overnight parked at the Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead? I know you like to be away from it all, but wondered if that was permissible.
i know what you mean about horse poop. but it does biodegrade faster than, let's say dog poop i think. wonder what the story is behind the pictographs, they look different when you filmed from the distance. like an important figure in the middle of a gathering of people? idk you are gonna go make me read about it :>)... ...you could make pottery out of that clay by having your front tires spin out of control lol...
I mean, all sorts of stuff can biodegrade, but that doesn't mean we should still throw it on the ground in national parks and be OK with it. Yuck. Not a fan. But yeah, it is fun to speculate on the meanings of the pictographs. They're beautiful just as artistic objects we can observe, but I'm sure that knowing the actual meaning would make them that much more fascinating. Thanks as always for watching and commenting.
I think those pictographs are off planet races visiting & leaving their pictographs behind. Because their dress look like they have helmets so they can breathe. Just my belief.
Thanks for showing me things that I have never seen. I am struck at how little the figures look like humans. Certainly they are bipedal, but the bodies are so large compared to the arms and legs. I have to wonder if the creators were just all poor artists or the subjects weren't human.
My opinion is that that's just how they chose to draw those humans. We commonly draw stick figures, and those don't really look any more accurately human than the rock art shown here. It's just an artistic style.
Right on about keeping those damn horses off trails. They tear the trails up and allow toads, who could not otherwise walk to these sites, deep into wilderness areas. Jesus invented the motorcycle to get rid of those four-legged hay burners in areas that allow the dino-juice burners.
Thanks for saying how big this rock art is. I had no idea they were in feet rather than inches. Wish I could get there to see. Thank you!!
Thank you again for a great adventure very beautiful
I agree with you about picking up after your horse! It makes since if you are supposed to pick up after your dog how much more for a horse who has a lot more to leave behind!
Amazing Rock art!
You're right about the video not showing the awesomeness of the pictographs. When I was there, I asked the ranger there if he would walk up as close to the base of the cliff as he could, and I shot a pic to give scale. That largest one, with all the detail, is over seven feet tall. They look so alien. I think the shape they painted represents the ceremonial costume they wore, this the broad shoulders and tapered body. I can agree with anthropologists who hypothesize that the Shaman would isolate himself and consume herbs like peyote to paint. Also, the ranger told me that the pictographs are high because they used scaffolding to climb up and paint. I'm surprised that there was no ranger there when you visited. Most awesome rock art that I've ever seen!
Hi, beautiful amazing place, hope no body disturb the pectroglifis ,I don't mind the horse pup ,is grass land ,thanks for the video ✌👍👍
hike goblin during full moon, the best. at night.
That sounds like a fun thing to do on my next trip there.
Tristan my favorite part of the video is the Native art work pictograms. I like your respectful approach to the First Nation Indigenous people.
Those are so large, and so high at 9:13. I'm trying to picture people up on long ladders made from tree trunks, but are there even any trees that long. And what did they use for 'paint' that lasted 400 to 800 years? I can no longer hike, and sure enjoy your videos.
About the horse poop. . .
I have some recent news and information you might like to know. I've been hiking this wonderful canyon off and on since 1991. No horses in the canyon, but there are many wild burros. They are in the process of being removed and the canyon protected from them. On my last hike here three months ago (September, 2021), I befriended a ranger and hiked back out with him. He told me the burros have been down in here since the Spanish first came through with their domestic stocks, so maybe 400+ years. They are a nuisance and a mess, though, and they are not actually native, so the NPS is spending about $30k to build a serious fence up-canyon to keep them out. I don't know what their timeline is for that.
The burros are stealthy and hard to spot, but we did get to see a group of about nine on the opposite side of the canyon, walking along a fairly high and narrow bench as if they were mountain goats or something. Their braying often echoes down the canyon.
I’m gob smacked that art is left unprotected. It’s amazing and I’m with you incredibly haunting
How would you suggest they protect it?
solar powered electricity :>)
@@SUVRVing I would suggest solar powered video cameras that are motion activated....im in texas now, and have been to couple way out places that do that here
I am there to see that,and it's the only way I could see that in my wheelchair. I thank you very much for it.
I'm really happy that I can share places like this. I'm sure I'll be in your situation at some point and will be doing the same thing with other people's videos. I'll do what I can when I can. Thanks Larry.
Let's see my favorite part... Probably from the beginning to the end! Thank you for posting this.
Lol glad to hear it! Thanks for watching.
The best part of your videos is the detail you give. Locations, how to get there, what to look for. :) I really enjoy your hikes and shots of beauty and detail. I agree on the horse poo we have to walk through, they aren't very considerate at all. :( Great Job!
Thanks, I'm glad you like the videos! I appreciate you watching and commenting. Darn horses...
@@SUVRVing Even PBS can not muster the resources to do this, great presentation.
One of the highlights of my life was hiking Horseshoe. I almost didn't make it back up. I think I was around 50. You are smart to do all things while you are young.
Loved the Grand Gallery!❤️🇺🇸😀🚙
That is some beautiful country that you are in. The pictographs were amazing. Some of the best yet. I haven't seen any up close and personal, but can imagine how beautiful they would be. I really enjoy when you show these to us. Not only for the art, but usually the great hikes it takes to reach them. Thanks for a great adventure. Davin
Thanks Davin. It's amazing how much rock art is out there when you really start looking for it. It's always fun to see.
I noticed at 9:52 the depth proportion of the pictorgragh, like people were standing behide each other. I have never seen that in any other of your videos about pictorgraphs. True art !
It's a stunning panel, for sure. One of, if not THE, best out there. Thanks Ty.
I've made over 60 trips down into Horseshoe Canyon as a volunteer for the Maze District of Canyonlands. It was fun watching your video of a place I'm very familiar with. I would like you to do a return visit as you missed a couple of small but still interesting panels. At the Shelter site, there is a path that goes up and behind the large pile of rocks on the right of the main panel. At the end of that short path there is some interesting native American art to include a snake petroglyph on a large flat rock across from the fenced in panel. That location also gives views to art on the main panel that can't be seen from below. At the Great Gallery, there is a short path that cuts left of the main panel that gives views to some interesting figures that can't be seen from the main viewing area. As a volunteer, I've talked to so many visitors who have hiked Horseshoe Canyon multiple times and have not seen these images. One more thing...I agree with you that the dinosaur print on the main trail leaves a lot to interpretation...but...just off the path, on the left as you are walking down trail, there is a very well defined print on a vertical rock face. It's actually the print that is pictured in the kiosk at the trailhead. I've recently discovered your site and enjoy it greatly. Keep up the good work! If I'm able to send you photos, and if you're interested, let me know. I can send photos of the things you missed at Horseshoe Canyon.
Traffic - made me laugh out loud. The art is amazing - and definitely "haunting". Thanks!! Good Stuff!
Thanks for watching, Giggling Gypsy! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
My fav. Part was all of the video. Goblin valley, horseshoe canyon and little wild horse are on my favorite list. We hiked Horseshoe ln late August, it was 110 degrees in the canyon. Started too late at 8am, was already over 80. 2 liters of water not enough. Happy to make it out as the climb out of the canyon faces south with no shade. Bring lots of water for summer hiking there!
Thank you so much. I love the way you share what has worked for you. So helpful.
I'm glad you find it useful. Thanks for watching!
My favourite part of this video? Dead easy - you're panning across the rolling red sand dunes-scape, when a [small] bunch of snow-capped mountains appear, on the horizon, seemingly completely out of place ...
Yeah, that was a really cool spot. Those were the Henry Mountains. Interestingly, those are were the last mountain range in the lower 48 states to be mapped. Even today it's a remote area. Thanks Graeme.
one of your better videos, thanks for sharing the art...
I could sit and look at those pictograph panels for hours. Yes, they are indeed haunting. Thank goodness they've remained untouched. Thanks for taking us to such an amazing şite. Stay safe 😊
I'm glad you liked the video, tsuki. Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it.
So glad you are posting videos of such beautiful places! Places, that because of a stroke, I will never get to see in person! Thank you & best wishes!
I'm happy to share them, Bill, and I'm happy that you're able to join me on my adventures. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I loved the sand dunes....will try to get out there this fall!
Great adventure vlog today 👍
Thanks!
Picto-graphs (?) were my favorite! Horse poo was lease ~
Surprised the really fine red sand hasn't been mined, yet ~
Absolutely stunning artwork. Thank you and safe travels.
Thanks Barb!
WOW! great pictographs-so big and clear-I've seen some of the others you have shown but i also did not go to that part of the park when i was there-due to time constraints-now i doubt if i could do the hike-so really glad to see them vicariously through your eyes
Tristan,
Those pictographs were haunting, as you said. I've seen modern paintings that look lots like them. Now I know their origin. Keep up your good work and hikes!
Will do. Thanks Dean!
HAUNTING indeed.... great work.
Tristan, I really enjoyed the pictographs. Utah has some amazing places to see. I'm in Arizona so not that far away. Really like your videos.
I love Arizona and go there at least once a year, but Utah just has an astounding density of beautiful and interesting places. Thanks Bacchus!
Utah is one of the most beautiful states I've explored and have barely touched a fraction of it. What I did like... the entire vlog. What I didn't like... when it ended. I looked over this area in Google Earth on my desktop with a big screen, so beautiful! The textures are amazing!
I'm not even sure which is my favorite part of the video - the incredible art panels, the other-worldly red sand dune fields, or that last perfect campsite. But "We've run into some heavy traffic" with the cattle had me laughing out loud.
I'm glad you liked the video. Those dunes were really neat and completely unexpected. I had no idea they were there. Thanks Melissa!
Another great adventure. The Great Gallery is now on my bucket list. I have to admit that I somewhat agree with A GIRL AND A DOG. What I find so fascinating and intriguing about rock art is that we marvel at how accurate and clear the images of say a dog, deer, or man holding a spear are. But when we see an image of large beings with strange heads or incredible looking hybrid animals, we wonder 'what could they mean by this image?' It is no different than the other images...they were painting WHAT THEY WERE SEEING. IMHO. Anyway, thanks for showing us these amazing hidden gems of the Southwest.
Thanks Brian, I'm glad you liked the video. Modern humans come up with all sorts of detailed myths and legends and stories (take the Lord of the Rings trilogy or Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia) that contain fantastic creatures of one sort or another. I don't know why ancient humans would be any different. I don't believe they were "seeing" anything, just using their minds to think of what could be. That's my take on it, anyway.
Another awsome episode! The detail in a couple of those blanketed figures was very cool. Thank you.
Thanks Tim! I'm glad you liked it, and I appreciate you watching.
Great tour guiding!
Thanks Larry!
Favorite part was you stepping on the red sand. Need more footsteps footage on that red sand yes.
That was pretty cool sand. Let's go back.
Adding it to our list ! We should have time next trip.
You'll love it. It's a fantastic place.
That was awesome. I will be in Utah in the fall and I am taking notes on the places that make you smile in your videos. I like to avoid people too.
You'll have a great time! There's plenty of room out there in the desert to feel like you have it all to yourself. Thanks Cara.
My favorite part of the video is that all of it is near perfect, I like the video as it is with no changes. A little bit more detail/explanation in the comments about historical places would be appreciated, but that is not necessary, the video is excellent as it is, as are all your videos. I really liked the small arch and that you added dimensions and what caught my eye was the left side of the picture with a rock form that was a little higher. Your details are always fun to listen to.
Thanks Michael! I'm glad you liked the video. I'll try to go into more detail in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I spent 2 nights outside Island in the Sky district. I need to go to this section of Canyonlands. The dunes and rock art were my favorite parts. Also the slot canyon pics you shared.
If you liked the slot canyon pics, stay tuned! I go through a couple of slot canyons in the following days on this trip. Canyonlands is a great park. TONS to see and do there. Thanks Shawn.
Beautiful scenery. Great photography.
Thanks Allen. I appreciate you watching.
Check out the beard and mustache! Hope your fiancé likes it! Enjoyed the video.......you always do a great job.
Yep, she's a fan. Thanks Bette!
This was amazing 🤩
I'm glad you think so! Thanks for watching.
Very nice. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Another GREAT video! Thanks for sharing such amazing places!
Thanks Debbie! I'll keep making the videos as long as you keep watching them :)
Tristan, There are large numbers of wild burros and horses in that area, are you convinced they weren't wild?...
That sand would make very pretty kitty litter.
Beautiful content as usual. THANKS!
Thanks Mark! Glad you liked it.
What incredible sights you share with us, loving all the pictographs! I'm fine tuning my setup in a CRV, and have a goal to take a two-week adventure in Utah, hopefully next year. I'm taking notes on all the awesome places!
Awesome! You'll have a great time on your Utah trip. It's a great place. And I'd love to see pics of your CRV camping setup once you've got everything figured out.
I was in that area in the Summer of 2022 and saw some amazing art. I worked my way back through Nevada to my home in California, but I too was struck by the thought of what life was like for Native Americans in these areas. But as I baked in the heat of some of these places, it occured to me, this is nothing like what it looked like thousands of years ago. It was much cooler, likely wetter, with more wildlife, at least larger wildlife with streams and rivers and fish. So, life may of been way easier than we think, or at least much easier than it would be trying to survive there in the last few hundred years.
Great video!
Thanks!
I agree with you about horses on trails.
Glad I'm not the only one!
Large mounds of horse manure in that area is usually from wild horses. Lots of horses in the San Rafael Swell area.
I have to wonder if the artwork is that of evil spirits. I noticed one figure with what appears to be a spear, aiming it at the larger figure as if it was trying to fend it off. Cool stuff. I'd have to say that was my favorite part of the video; that and the dry wash road you took to get to the last camp site. I wonder what it looks like after heavy rains.
At a visitor center I went to the next day, there was actually a photo of a RAV4 that had been destroyed after being hit by a flash flood in that dry wash. So there must be a hefty amount of water at least.
Wow!
Loved the entire video! You do excellent work. Those cliff paintings are a gift from the ancients. One request, when filming them could you zoom in closer, or was that limited by your camera? Anyway, thanks for sharing this fantastic adventure!
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I probably could have zoomed in more and will try to next time.
I've done Islands in the Sky and The Needles. The views at Island were amazing but it's close to the Moab mob scene. I really liked Needles due to it's remoteness. Nice to get a taste of Horseshoe Canyon from your video - like the remoteness aspect of it and those Archaic rock markings are impressive. Your campsite at 15:40 was like a painting with the arching dendritic limbs of the trees cast against the stark mountainous background. Are you going to venture into The Maze section in the future?
The Maze is the one section of the park that I haven't yet been to, and yes, I will absolutely be going there in the future. It looks awesome. Definitely not easy to get to though. Thanks Ted!
These are in great condition. It's amazing something like this will last that long. I'm sure due to the climate, but still...Gotta agree re: the horses. Last week just dealt with that. With a dog it's impossible because (well no comment--disgusting). I decided I have to go back in winter, when it's not so bad. I always clean up after the dog, either carrying out or burying. No I don't like them on the same trails either would prefer them on dedicated trails.
I just don't understand how they ever got to be allowed on trails in the first place. Maybe it's just a holdover from Old West times...
laughed out loud at the "traffic" situation......
I enjoy all these awesome locations you share and will have to visit. My concern is internet access to check in on my business at the end of the day. Do you struggle to get internet at most of your campsites? I laughed about the traffic and my favorite part was the sand dunes with the mountains in the back!
I'd say I struggle to get internet at about half of my campsites. But getting online every day isn't really a priority. As long as I can get on every few days, I'm OK. In your case, it would be easy enough to just stick to places with good cell access.
There is a creepy otherworldly look to the figures depicted in the rock art. I wonder what they were seeing to make them want to draw these things?
Who knows? Creepy to us might have been normal to them. Maybe they'd think our stick figures were creepy. Thanks for watching.
Closer to the beginning of this video you passed a cliff that had 4 or 5 large smooth round holes in a linear pattern. Have you seen them closer and do you know anything about them?
The wall art is amazing. Kinda makes you wonder with the shapes of the bodies and heads if they were modeled after something not of this world! I mean how did they come up with that stuff? Either way, pretty amazing. The other question I have for you is how often do you run into snakes and scorpions at your camp sites? Surely there must be little lizards and such roaming around yes?
I think the figures just represent people or people's spirits. Nothing too crazy. Maybe this style is like our stick figures. Neither style really looks like a person; that's just how we/they represent(ed) people.
In the past few years, I've encountered only one snake (a rattlesnake) at a campsite. I run into them much more often when I'm out hiking. I'd say I see 6-10 snakes a year, with the majority of them being rattlesnakes. I see lizards all the time. They're everywhere in arid areas. And I've never once seen a scorpion while camping or hiking. In the past 14 years or so that I've been wandering the western US, I've seen a scorpion exactly one time, and I was rock climbing. They're definitely out there, but they're nocturnal, so I never run into them.
It’s the same deal in the UK with horses, it’s an offence not to clear up after your dog, but for some reason horses are ok, I’ve never got that.
Yeah, it drives me crazy. Horse diapers/manure catchers are a thing, and I don't understand why they're not required.
I agree!
That horseshoe canyon area looks like it would be very hot in the summer, yes?
We were warned of the sand traps along that road--particularly at the time we were there. Gave it a pass.
If your a Turkey 🦃 fan you have to try
The pepper one .
I do like the peppered turkey, but it's been a while since I've gotten it. Good stuff!
I have driven past Fry Canyon on Rte 95 in Utah several time, but never could explore it. How about doing that one?
Have you seen the structures in the woods " very big trees" same forms x ,y ,tee pees and with the trees in the air,not done by people or machines they can go for miles?
Nope, can't say that I have.
Traffic! LOL! The zoom on your camera is amazing! The rock art was mesmerizing.
Were those ammo cans near you at 9:00?
Yep, the camera has 16 or 18x optical zoom, which comes in really handy. Yes, those were ammo cans. They actually had binoculars in them, so you could sit on the little benches and use the binoculars to take a closer look at the rock art.
Ah! Very cool!
Unbelievable! I actually had to pause the video so I could look at the pictographs a little longer. LOL What were the round "tunnel looking" parts of the rock? (around 4:56) Was this just part of the rock, meaning how they were formed? Thanks! Super video!!
Hi Carol. Those holes are called "tafoni." They're naturally occurring features resulting from the rock being weathered. Here's the Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tafoni
The panels are beautiful and better than the Louvre Museum. I see more human and dog poop than horse poop. Also, it may be Mustang poop; animal poop is as natural as the rocks & sand we walk on. Anyway, I was more concerned about someone stealing the tooth... ;-)
Beautiful campsite. What’s the temperatures like at night and in the morning. Just curious.
Here it got down to below freezing that night. High 20s, low 30s. Highs in the 50s during the day.
Seeing this reminds me of my touristy hikes ( I'm from Pennsylvania but love the southwest ) at goblins , little wild horse and capitol reef and its cathedral valley section. on that trip we also went down hole in the rock road to a spur road to hiked the zebra , spooky slots with a quick stop at devils garden and later that night in Escalante by a few quirks of fate ended up helping a guy survive a heart attack. I was the only one not to panic got him comfortable gave him my asprin ( always carry them as I'm old and was a boy scout so be prepared is drilled into me lol)) Got two thumbs up from the paramedics who arrive 40 min later. Then on to capital reef some 70 miles away.
Is the art etched into the stone or painted on it?
is it really that cold down there in MAY??? I used to go in zapril and burn up!!!
No. This footage is from March. The videos are staggered so that I don't have to edit and post 30 of them in 30 days.
Do you ever have any encounters with rattlesnakes on the trails? I would think in some of the areas where you hike that you probably see them from time to time.
Yes, I see rattlesnakes every year. Never had any problems with them.
Just catching up on some I missed.
What were the ammo cans for at the fourth panel?
If memory serves, I think they had binoculars in them?
How did you find your way along the trail? Was it marked?
Hi Theresa. No, the trail isn't marked. I had a map on my phone that I followed. And the trail itself is easy enough to follow if you're paying attention.
Have you ever seen a desert mirage or other strange phenomena?
Horses and mules.... There are some trails, like on the Grand Canyon's south rim, that are ruined by them. Nevermind the droppings; the piss pools really are terrible.
Eeeeewwwww.
Sorry for the weird question, but how stenuous would you say this hike was? Could a ten year old do it with a lot of breaks?
Hmm, that's a tough one. Even though the sign at the trailhead said 6.5 miles round trip for the hike, I think my GPS logged about 8 miles total. The hike itself isn't difficult, just long. I suppose you could always just hike down to the first two panels and then turn back if you guys need to. That would shorten the hike considerably. And if you're feeling good, you could keep going. Just don't do it when it's hot. There's not much shade on this hike.
Thanks! So the best time to go woud probably be April or May?
Basically any time that isn't June, July, or August should be doable, but check the forecast.
What happened to earlier plans you had to maybe getting another vehicle?
They're still plans.
Thank You I am wondering what do you think the meaning is you have seen so many and can tell you must be getting some consciousness as you sit and enjoy the art..' I see them as warning of some kinda evil control they were in"
I don't know the meaning, and I'm not convinced that there has to be some deep meaning to it. And I certainly don't think it has to be some malicious or evil meaning. Modern humans create art and imagery for all sorts of reasons, and I think the same is true for ancient humans. The rock art in the video here could have a meaning as simple as, "This is our place, and we want everyone who passes through here to know that this is our place." Or "We like the way this cliff looks with all of these figures on it."
Oh.. meant to ask. Could you have overnight parked at the Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead? I know you like to be away from it all, but wondered if that was permissible.
Yep, overnight parking/camping there is absolutely allowed. Several people were doing it.
Thank you very much! :) Keep up that great videoing.
Do you see any deer out there in the wilderness?
In these particular desert areas, not so much. I see pronghorn antelope more than deer. But in forested areas, yes, all the time.
SUV RVing ok. Thanks. Keep up the good work. Great job on the video.
i know what you mean about horse poop. but it does biodegrade faster than, let's say dog poop i think. wonder what the story is behind the pictographs, they look different when you filmed from the distance. like an important figure in the middle of a gathering of people? idk you are gonna go make me read about it :>)... ...you could make pottery out of that clay by having your front tires spin out of control lol...
I mean, all sorts of stuff can biodegrade, but that doesn't mean we should still throw it on the ground in national parks and be OK with it. Yuck. Not a fan. But yeah, it is fun to speculate on the meanings of the pictographs. They're beautiful just as artistic objects we can observe, but I'm sure that knowing the actual meaning would make them that much more fascinating. Thanks as always for watching and commenting.
Ant issues with trash attracting critters in the desert❓
I think those pictographs are off planet races visiting & leaving their pictographs behind. Because their dress look like they have helmets so they can breathe. Just my belief.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️🥰
Most of the horses crap in this area is wild burro crap so it looks like u and I need to clean it up and everybody else
All in mummy bags
Thanks for showing me things that I have never seen. I am struck at how little the figures look like humans. Certainly they are bipedal, but the bodies are so large compared to the arms and legs. I have to wonder if the creators were just all poor artists or the subjects weren't human.
My opinion is that that's just how they chose to draw those humans. We commonly draw stick figures, and those don't really look any more accurately human than the rock art shown here. It's just an artistic style.
Right on about keeping those damn horses off trails. They tear the trails up and allow toads, who could not otherwise walk to these sites, deep into wilderness areas. Jesus invented the motorcycle to get rid of those four-legged hay burners in areas that allow the dino-juice burners.