In Search of Petroglyphs Along Grapevine Canyon Trail in Searchlight, Nevada

Eric and I crossed the Colorado River into Nevada and drove to the Spirit Mountain Wilderness Area.

The gravel road is washboarded,

making for a rough ride.

There's plenty of parking at 

Grapevine Canyon Trailhead, 

with two pit toilets.

Eric & I follow a short path to

a wide, sandy wash.

A panoramic shot of our surroundings

We think the Petroglyphs

are further up the wash.

This Canyon was considered to be a Sacred Place by area natives including the Mojave, Yavapai, Quechan, Chemehuevi, Southern Paiute, etc.  The Petroglyphs they created are among the oldest in Southern Nevada.

In the distance, I see what looks

like a pile of rubble with a cairn.

The rocks are so similar in size...

I think the cairn was made by erosion.

Others are looking for

Petroglyphs too.

(Lower right-hand corner)

The rocks and boulders have a dark, weathered patina.

Eric & I get closer & look carefully.

There they are...

Ancient markings

A bush partially obscures

these Petroglyphs.

They're in random places.

I'm sure they've been studied.

Hikers can only guess at what

the symbols mean.

If we want to continue, 

it will be a scramble.

No thanks!

Let's head back to the car

& continue exploring

the region...