The Rock Art of Hog Canyon.

Hog Canyon is located three miles west (mile marker 4 on Highway 211) from Newspaper Rock, there is a short pull-in area for parking.  The trails up to the walls (Blue Grama aka Blue Gamma – popular to crack climbers) are well worn, but the soil is loose.  Following the rock art itself entails maneuvering up and around boulders, sometimes squeezing between one that has split in two after its fall from the wall.

Trails are not marked and tend to be narrow.

Be prepared to climb over, between and around boulders.

Therefore, being 60 years old, overweight, diabetic, and arthritis in my hands, arms and shoulders means I cannot do this adventure, right?  Wrong!!!   There are people out there that are preaching that "young, fit and healthy" are 3 traits you must have to be able to adventure in the outdoors.  That is certainly the largest load of bull crap I've ever heard!  By the way, this is coming from folks who haven't even done 1/16th of the adventures that Roy and I have experienced.  What do they really know?  Obviously what some current fad is telling them to know, as they do not have a mind of their own.  No matter what your age, fitness level or health; get on out there and do something adventurous!  Life is a gift, but not guaranteed, so never say never and enjoy life!

My hubby, Roy.

Now back to our regularly scheduled write up of the latest Cokenour adventure.

Carved onto stone, drawn into the desert varnish, there are square-bodied humanoid figures, mountain sheep, insects, long leaves resembling ferns, circles and many other shapes and figures.  There is the occasional signature of those who settled or visited in the early 20th century (1911 – Ralph Hurst and Bill Dalley).  While many modern day traveler thinks that the Indian rock art is nothing more than “ancient graffiti”, they fail to understand that it was the earliest form of the “written word” for these cultures.

1911 Signatures amongst the ancient rock art drawings.

Like Shay Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park and Nine Mile Canyon, many of the figures are identified as Fremont culture.  For those saying, "Wrong, it's Anasazi"; identified tribes we know of, such as Ute, Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and Fremont were the Anasazi.  The Anasazi didn't "disappear", they simply branched off to create singular tribes in the areas they decided to call home. 

Oh, sorry, disclaimer necessary at the moment, "Visitor/Welcome Center Managers or Tour Guides, if you have not signed an agreement with me, and/or paid a yearly fee, you do NOT have my permission to download any content from this travel blog. You certainly cannot erase my name, put a different name on it, with the intent of giving away, or selling, to the public.  That is copyright infringement!"  

Ah, back to Hog Canyon...

Why the name “Hog Canyon”?  In Utah’s Canyon Country Place Names (Steve Allen), there is a reference to “Pete Steele noted that the canyon was fenced with knit wire (sheep wire) to hold the pigs that used to pasture in the canyon.  The fence still stands.  (1821~)”.  In the December 10, 2014 issue of the San Juan Record, Albert Eugene (Pete) Steele’s obituary states, “One of his jobs growing up was punching cows for the SS Cattle Company rooted deep in San Juan County’s history. His tales of the Old West and the history of San Juan County were a treasure to anyone lucky enough to hear them.” 

Great look out spot.

Climbers love these walls.

The rock art continues along the bottom of the crack climbing walls; so if you're going to climb, be aware and do not destroy!

Of course, as you make your way up to, and along, the walls, make sure to turn around and take a good look at the surrounding landscape.

Personally, I call these "The Three Graces"

...and my write up wouldn't be complete without a bit of plant and wild life.

Claret Cup Cactus

Desert Lizard

I would say that Roy and I spent about two hours climbing up, around and down from the Hog Canyon walls. It was a great workout!

Mary Cokenour

Hog Canyon Travel Guide.

Hog Canyon, so named for the pigs that ranchers once pastured there, is part of the Indian Creek Valley; and the northern section of the Bears Ears National Monument.  While narrow hiking trails lead up to the walls that are popular with “Crack Climbers”, ancient ancestral rock art cover the walls as well.  Carvings and drawings adorn the desert varnish with humanoid figures, animals, insects, fern leaves, circles and many other shapes.

·         Location is 29.4 miles northwest of Monticello.  Take Hwy. 191 north for 14.4 miles, make a left onto Hwy. 211 and continue for 15 miles.  Newspaper Rock is 12 miles along Hwy. 211, Hog Canyon is located 3 additional miles west and located at mile marker 4.  There will be a dirt pull-in area on the right hand side of the roadway; narrow trails up to the rock face can be seen and followed up to the rock art.

·        Difficulty: Easy to Moderate; due to the falling of rock off the walls, it will be necessary to maneuver around, or climb over, boulders.  The dirt is loose on the trails, so wear appropriate hiking shoes/boots plus carry a walking stick, if necessary, for added stability.

·        Admission: Free

·        Facilities: None at this location.  Vault toilets are located at Newspaper Rock.  Any trash should be taken out and placed in refuse bin.

·        Camping: There are five (5) BLM campgrounds located along Hwy. 211

·        Pets: Allowed, owners are expected to clean up after pet(s).  Hwy. 211 is a much used roadway which leads to Canyonlands National Park– Needles.  For the pet(s)’s safety, keep aware of their location and surroundings.

As with any site containing ancient rock art, this is a historical area, so look, but do not touch nor deface.

Mary Cokenour

Harts Draw Road Travel Guide.

Harts Draw Road Loop

The Harts Draw Road loop begins at the intersection of Hwy 191 and West 200 South Street in Monticello, travels west up into the Abajo Mountains, and is the only paved road through the mountains  . As the road climbs, plant life includes forests of Gambel oak, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, aspen, spruce and wildflowers of many varieties. Wildlife sightings are usually of mule deer, wild turkeys, squirrels and grazing cattle.  Stunning views of the surrounding Canyonlands are available at nearly every turn.

·         Location is .3 miles south of Monticello's traffic light (Main and Center Streets), along Hwy 191; turn right onto West 200 South & follow curve onto Abajo Drive (total of 7/10s of a mile to start of paved road up the mountain).  County Rd. 101/North Creek Rd. is 10 miles upward with a turn downward onto Harts Draw Rd., leading 10 miles to Hwy 211.  

Created in 2014 by me to help navigate the City of Monticello, when
trying to find the street to the mountain road.  A few focus points are noted, like the local grocery,
library and park.

·         Loyd’s Lake is 1 mile west up CR 101, one (1) mile south on CR 102; 2.5 mile hiking trail around lake, picnic/barbecue areas, vault toilets, no camping allowed.

·         Monticello Lake is 7 miles west up CR 101, offers vault toilets, dispersed camping.

·         Foy Lake is off a short trail west of the merge of CR 101 & Harts Draw Rd., vault toilets, dispersed camping.

·         Two (2) National Forest Campgrounds: Dalton Springs at 4.5 miles & Buckboard at 5.5 miles up CR 101.

·         Pets – must be leashed at all times, owners are expected to pick up after their pet(s).

·         Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/  (type manti la-sal in Search box) US Forest Service Ranger District Office is located at 432 East Center Street (Hwy 491), Monticello

·         Phone: (435) 587-2041

This is a beautifully scenic and serene drive through the Abajo Mountains.

Mary Cokenour

Shay Canyon - Rock Art Panels - Part 2B

Here I am again, showing you the amazing rock art panels located along the walls of Shay Canyon.  Besides the rock art, make sure to appreciate other features of the landscape.  For instance, this next photograph is one I simply call, "The Head", as this is what it looks like to me.  Many of the formations of Grand and San Juan Counties are named for a very good reason, that's what it looks like!





You might notice a trail here and there that looks like a good way down to the main trail; but don't go yet, there's so much more to see!

The Bear (Not a buffalo or mammoth, it's a Bear)

There will be areas of the trail where you'll walk heel-toe on narrow sections, or walk between the walls and huge boulders.  Just look at it as an adventure and enjoy!

Remember, fear is the mind killer; don't let uncertainty stagnant your life.

Triangle People

Humanoid figures, in the shape of a triangle, can be seen in Sego Canyon (Thompson Springs, UT), Nine Mile Canyon (Wellington, UT) and Capitol Reef National Park.  The Fremont culture was known to have traveled through these areas; they left their writings to tell their stories.

The stones are loose, but you can get through this narrow opening.

Rocks fell to create an "arch"

 Just a few more photos of rock art, a sharing of plant & wildlife; a view from the end of the trail and then we took the easy way up down.  If you take the easy trail upwards first, what I have shown you here will be in reverse, and you will end this wondrous journey at the Pillar.  Remember, these walls are full of stories from an ancient people that have come and gone.  Don't touch, don't deface, just admire and move along.

Roy showing how large the prickly pear cacti were.

Claret Cup Cactus

Desert Lizard

Mormon Tea

Penstemon

The Three Graces (or as someone else named them, but I cannot find and official name listed anywhere.

End of the trail along the walls

Mary Cokenour