IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Tusher Canyon
Saturday, November 26, 2011

After spending most of the day in the San Rafael Swell there was still a little daylight left, so I headed over to Tusher Canyon in the Book Cliffs to locate a few more rock art sites. Since I was running out of light I had to rush through it, but I did manage to find every site that I was looking for. I didn’t have time to do some thorough exploring of the canyon, so I will have to return again when I have more time to see what else I can find.

First stop was at an unusual pictograph site. At first glance these look like that might be Barrier Canyon Style, but I’m not so sure about that? They are certainly different from anything I have seen before.

Tusher Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s a closer look at the interesting pictographs.

Corner Spirits by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The next site contained a number of small petroglyph panels. This one has three newer sheep carved over some older anthropomorphs and an elk figure.

Sheep Over Anthropomorphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

After spending Black Friday in Nine Mile Canyon I spent Saturday searching for and visiting some new rock art sites in the San Rafael Swell. After a quick breakfast in Green River I made my way over to visit the Prickly Pear Flat pictograph panel.

The Prickly Pear Flat panel contains a number of very interesting Barrier Canyon Style figures. Unfortunately, the rock surface they were painted on has not held up too well over the years.

Prickly Pear Flat Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s another portion of the large panel that might be depicting rain.

Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s a cool-looking flute player. There’s some of those flying circles at the top, too.

Flute Player by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Black Friday | Friday, November 25, 2011

I wanted to get back to Nine Mile Canyon one more time before the year was over, so I figured that Black Friday would be the perfect time. Instead of getting up early to try and score a deal at a big box store, I was up early and on my way to Wellington and then into Nine Mile Canyon. As I drove into the canyon I found that part of the road was under construction. Luckily no one was working today, so I did not encounter and delays this time.

I was unable to visit the Owl Panel the last time I was in the canyon, so that was my first destination this time. It’s an amazing panel that’s in great shape.

Nine Mile Owl Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Bear Paw & Owl by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Besides the very large and unique owl, there are also two smaller ones.

Three Owls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Colorado National Monument
Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 24, 2011

Amanda had to work for a few hours on Thanksgiving, so while she was at work I decided to head on over to the Colorado National Monument and hike the Old Gordon Trail. It’s one of the few trails in the park that I had not hiked before. I was actually surprised to find that the park rangers were actually working on Thanksgiving. There were also plenty of people in the park, but they all seemed to be in No Thoroughfare Canyon or on the Serpents Trail because I had the Old Gordon Trail all to myself. I didn’t run into anyone else up there, which was nice.

The view into No Thoroughfare Canyon as I hike towards the start of the Old Gordon Trail.

No Thoroughfare View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made a quick stop at the faint petroglyph panel in No Thoroughfare Canyon.

No Thoroughfare Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These signs were installed last year when they re-routed the trail into Echo Canyon.

Old Gordon Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Christmas Eve | Saturday, December 24, 2011

Since Amanda had to work this morning, I decided to head up on the Grand Mesa to do a little snowshoeing. I bought a new pair of snowshoes and some new poles a few months back and wanted to try them out. Since I was testing out new gear and only had a few hours I decided to head back to the West Bench Trail since I’m familiar with it.

I also only took my iPhone on this short hike instead of dragging along my DSLR, so if my photos don’t look up to my usual standards, you know why…

Here’s my new MSR Evo Tour snowshoes ready for their first hike.

New Snowshoes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The first bridge I crossed.

Snow Bridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The snow wasn’t quite as high as the last time I was here. Last January the snow almost completely covered this sign.

Stop by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Continue reading