In our haste to reach Delicate Arch before sunset Friday night, we didn’t take the brief detour to see petroglyph carvings, so we returned Saturday to check them out.

These carvings (petroglyphs are carved into rock; pictographs are painted onto rock) were created by the Utes between 1650-1850, according to the informational sign nearby.

They depict several horses and riders and a herd of bighorn sheep.

Looking toward one of the arches (not sure which one):

This rock looks like it’s melting (and because you’re seeing this on my blog and not experiencing it with me in person, you’re spared my Wicked Witch of the West imitation):

Watering hole, still no snakes, scorpions, or tarantulas, darn it!:

After leaving Arches, we drove along the Colorado River to see more petroglyphs. On our side of the river, the shoulder of the road was crowded with rock climbers and their vehicles.

 

On the other side of the river, there’s a 4wd trail that’s apparently so perilous that the Jeep rental companies don’t allow customers to take their vehicles on it.

There’s also a lengthy strip of Ute petroglyphs, although the informative sign was so faded that I couldn’t make out the dates these were carved:

After checking out the petroglyphs, we headed back along the river toward Canyonlands National Park. Photos to come….