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Ancestors of present day Owens Valley Paiute
carved these symbols +/- 1,500 years ago. |
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Fantastical bird image and a scorpion are among
the images on this panel high on the rock face. |
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Panel in foreground appears have stick figures,
whirlwinds and snake symbols carved on it. |
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A chain of diamonds is believed to represent the rattlesnake.
Panel includes zig-zag lines too.
Note: At no time do I touch or tread upon petroglyphs.
I use a variety of telephoto lens to capture images. |
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| Panel in foreground appears badly weathered. |
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| Two bighorn sheep are depicted in the upper left corner. |
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As at Chidago Petroglyphs, scholars believe
these images were carved by shaman. |
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Rock face engraved with straight and zigzag lines,
bisected circles, and a single left footprint. |
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| Exploring the site, found a small area carved with symbols. |
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Small hand and feet prints are believed
to represent supernatural water beings. |
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| These three sets of petroglyphs appear to be carved by the same hand. |
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| The Red Canyon site is a wonderful place to explore. |
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The rock outcropping extends several hundred feet
and is broken in a few places. |
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| A small group of petroglyphs close to the ground. |
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| A sunwheel, zigzag snake symbol, bird tracks. |
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| High on a narrow ledge. |
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| Some distance off the ground with no place to stand to carve these symbols. |
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Left side of the Red Canyon petroglyph site
with White Mountains in the distance. |
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| Wandering around taking photos, |
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| chanced upon this unusual looking snake. |
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| At first we thought it was some kind of desert whip-tail snake. |
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| However, a reptile expert confirmed this is a Desert Patched-Nose snake. |
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| We saw a few rabbits, voles, mice, plus |
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| this Western Zebra Tailed Lizard warming itself on a rock. |
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This Great Basin Whiptail Lizard was also trying to warm itself.
For more information on our native reptiles and amphibians, visit: http://www.californiaherps.com/
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| There are more Red Canyon Petroglyphs than are shown here. |
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| East, across the road is another section. |
| Follow these links to petroglyph sites nearby: Kitchen Rock, Chidago, Chalfant |
| For more information visit: Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern |
Recommended reading:
"A Guide to Rock Art Sites in Southern California
and Southern Nevada" by David S. Whitney
and "Coso Rock Art, a New Perspective" by Elva Younkin |
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