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Vermillion Canyon

2026-10-14T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 5855 - 6180 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 3 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: 40.77551, -108.71398
Fee: none
Attractions: rock art

Vermillion Canyon is located in the northwest corner of Moffat County, Colorado about 18 miles east of the Colorado/Utah border and about 14 miles south of the Wyoming border. The canyon shows ancient signs of habitation by Native People in the way of rock art and several rock shelters. Most of the rock art is in the form of Fremont and Basketmaker petroglyphs. There is one rock shelter that does have 3 or 4 red pictographs.

For turn-by-turn directions to the nearest turnoff that Google Maps is aware of enter 40.77043, -108.73121 into your driving app. From US-40 you will be directed north on the paved CO 318 for 41.5 miles where you will turn right onto County Road 10. CR 10 is a wide hard packed gravel road that travels almost as fast as the highway. Follow it for 3.1 miles and turn right onto CR 169. In another 0.9 miles take the left fork. In another 450 feet turn left again onto an old 4WD road.

Following the 4WD road for 1.3 miles to its end will bring you to a primitive campsite that overlooks Vermillion Canyon. Near the 0.7 mile point the road passes a 'Welcome to Irish Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern' sign where there is also a primitive campground that has so many side routes that it makes the last half mile to the end of the road a confusing mess. Remembering that you are headed toward the rim of Vermillion Canyon helps as will following our GPS track.

There are several social routes that lead off of the mountain into the canyon. We took one of these and while it eventually worked out okay on the return trip we discovered that at one time the old 4WD road actually drove off of the mountain to the mouth of the canyon. To follow that much easier route look for a pile of logs on the right side of the overlook. Once you start down the blocked off part of the old road the rest of the route becomes apparent.

Once you reach Vermillion Canyon its beauty is a delight. Patches of primitive trails can be found on both sides of the wash. There is a little going from one side of the wash to the other to find the easiest route.

The few faint pictographs that we found are on the right side of the canyon as you enter it. There is a flat spot at the base of the cliff that looks like a good place to hang out and that's where the pictographs are found.

An hundred feet or so before you reach the first petroglyphs there is a spillover. To get around the spillover there is a long metal ladder fastened to the cliff on the right.

The first petroglyphs include a large Fremont style warrior figure wearing a necklace. Like most of the panels in Vermillion Canyon this one is pretty high upon the cliff. As long as you remember to start looking in earnest on the left side of the canyon an hundred feet or so after climbing the ladder you should be able to find it okay. Looking closely at this image you might notice some deer or sheep and another anthro. There is a whole line of figures across the bottom and more images on the cliff to the right. There are actually about 20 images just in this one photo.

After the first petroglyphs are spotted it is one panel after another on most every ledge.

You'll have to zoom in to see it but this is pretty cool. Each of the figures have their arms raised like a ballerina. Circles are wrapped around their bodies that seem to resemble a spinning motion. Whether the figures themselves where meant to be spinning or whether they are enveloped by a whirlwind is hard to say but the effect is pretty cool.

This is one of the smaller panels that was hiding out in the shadows. The lower part looks like a game drive.

The main panel group consists of one huge panel with scores of images that is surrounded by a half dozen or more smaller panels.

The central image is a large figure with oversized hands and feet. To the left and right of this figure are long chains of smaller figures that could represent maybe families or dancers.

Numerous other anthropomorphic figures also appear in the scene.

This is the right side of the same panel.

There are a lot of images where there is little or no patina. While the images are still in near perfect condition, not having anything to contrast with, they don't show up very well.

This is one of the last images that we noticed before turning around. It looks like a solitary anthro but in the lower right hand corner there are several more faded figures.

Vermillion Canyon extends all the way up into Wyoming. Some parts of it are accessible by road. Given time it would be interesting to explore more of it.

We left out a lot of photos that are included in the following very long YouTube slideshow at the end of this post. If you would like to see Vermillion Canyon for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Penitente Canyon Pictographs

2026-10-07T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7957 - 8016 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: 37.84328, -106.28571
Fee: none
Attractions: pictographs, Madonna Mural

Penitente Canyon is located west of La Garita, Colorado in the BLM Penitente Canyon Recreation Area. The canyon gets its name from a religious brotherhood calling themselves Los Hermanos Penitente who came to the area in the 1880's. In the mid 1980's 3 members of the group painted a mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe high on the canyon wall. Hundreds of years prior to that Native People painted their own pictographs in the canyon.

For turn-by-turn directions all the way to the trailhead enter 37.84328, -106.28571 into your driving app. From La Garita you will be directed west on County Road 41 G for a half mile and then straight on 38A for another 0.8 miles. At that point you will turn right on 40 G which dead ends at the trailhead in another mile while passing several scenic campsites enroute.

As you walk from the trailhead toward the kiosk the trail splits into a loop. The Virgin of Guadalupe Mural is along the right fork of the trail.

Hard to the left are the pictographs up a short side trail.

The kiosk in front of the images mentions that the Jicarilla Apache interpret the images as a game drive.

The human figures represent families or hunters.

The animals at the bottom probably represent elk.

One interpretation of the top of the panel is that it represents a net drawn across the canyon. The Jicarilla Apache interpretation of the dots below the elk is that they represent a corral or box canyon.

To see the mural it is a pleasant quarter mile hike up the right fork of the canyon.

The mural is easy to spot high up on the cliff.

Unfortunately someone thought the original paint was becoming too faded and decided to touch it up. Whoever did the unauthorized work proved to lack the necessary artistic abilities.

It seems that there are 2 options to choose from for the mural. Either wait until the current paint fades and hope that the image will look better as the features become more faint or take up a collection for a competent artist and persuade the BLM into letting them fix the mural.

As far as the pictographs go they speak for themselves and fortunately being mostly in the shade they don't fade as fast.

If you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Ancient Valley Rock Shelter

2026-10-07T04:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7920 - 7984 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Ancient Valley Interpretive Site
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic geology, rockshelter

The Ancient Valley Interpretive Site is located in the Elephant Rocks area between La Garita and Del Norte, Colorado. Besides some scenic geology we found a rock shelter in the area that had some appeared from a distance to have some black charcoal drawings.

To get to the main trailhead enter Ancient Valley Interpretive Site into your driving app. The turnoff is 7.1 miles south of La Garita on CR 38A. The trailhead is a 4 tenths of a mile past the turnoff where there are a half dozen interpretive kiosks that mostly mention the La Garita Super Volcano that exploded 27 million years ago and the Ice Age wooly mammoths that once roamed the valley.

Further up the road from the Interpretive Site we noticed a rock shelter that had signs restricting access.

From around the perimeter we were able to use our zoom lens to get some closeups. We noticed the soot covered roof of the rockshelter and what looked like some black charcoal pictographs.

Deeper inside the rockshelter it looked like a comfortable cave.

Even further up the road we noticed a unique rock formation that we dubbed 'Donut Rock'. The hole in the lower boulder doesn't go all the way through the rock. Perhaps at one time the rocks were joined.

While in the area we hiked what we labeled as Loop 1 to see what else we could find. The hike was pleasant enough but didn't yield any new discoveries.

We had read previous to our visit that there were cliff dwellings and rock art in the area. It might be that we missed them or that the person that made that claim didn't know the difference between a rock shelter and a cliff dwelling. We left a lot of area unexplored on this trip so there is hope yet.

If you would like to see the Ancient Valley for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Lobatos Bridge Petroglyphs

2026-09-30T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7442 - 7464 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Historic Lobatos Iron Bridge
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs, picnic

The Historic Lobatos (wolf cubs) Iron Bridge is located about 14.5 miles east of Antonito, Colorado where County Road G crosses the Rio Grande River. The BLM has constructed a very nice day use area with a developed trail that leads by a few petroglyphs.

For turn-by-turn directions enter Historic Lobatos Iron Bridge into your driving app. From Antonito it is an almost straight shot east on the well maintained Road G. The recreation site comes up right before the road crosses the bridge.

The short trail begins near the restroom and forms a loop that takes it down to the river and back.

The petroglyphs are on the short cliff on the lower part of the trail.

There are maybe a dozen or more images but most of them are too faded to make out.

Several of the small human like figures show up the best.

We took advantage of the Rio Grandes low water level and hiked along the cliffs on the west side of the river.

The few petroglyphs that we found along the river were also very faded.

Near what may have been a small rockshelter we found a freshwater muscle half shell. It was about palm size and would have made a good treat.

The boat ramp, restroom, ramadas, and everything else have all been added since the Google satellite took its current photos of the area.

Several picnic sites are on the bridge end of the trail.

In a circle of kiosks there is one that mentions the Mondragon Store which was a trading post from back in the mid 1800's that once stood at this location. Mondragon married a Native woman and had 18 kids.

The Lobatos Bridge seemed to us to be a little remote but when we arrived there was a bus load of nice local ladies that we chatted with about the low water level or the river amongst a few other things. When we left another small group of younger people had shown up that were swimming in one of the deeper pools of water. A nice way to spend a warm summer day in July.

If you would like to see the Lobatos Bridge and petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Lobatos Petroglyphs

2026-09-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7439 - 7459 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: 37.06612, -105.76798
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs, ruins

The Historic Lobatos Iron Bridge is located about 14.5 miles east of Antonito, Colorado on Road G. Petroglyphs can be found at several places along the Rio Grande River in this area. The first are at the Lobatos Bridge Recreation Site and the next are another mile downstream. This post is for the downstream site where there are several ruins as well as quite a few petroglyphs.

For turn-by-turn directions to the Lobatos Petroglyphs enter 37.06612, -105.76798 into your driving app. From Antonito you will follow Road G, which is a well maintained gravel road, for 14.2 miles and turn right onto the Valley Road.

Follow the Valley Road for 0.9 miles and go left onto the S. Lobatos Bridge River Access Road.

After another 2 tenths of a mile the road comes to a bench above the river where there is a primitive campsite. From here the ruins and petroglyphs are pretty easy to find.

The first ruin is up near the rim of the mesa. Dry stack construction was used for the walls which still stand several feet high.

The first group of petroglyphs, which we labeled as P1, consists of 4 or 5 panels of images on the cliff behind a nice grassy terrace.

The images include little anthro figures, game animals, snakes, and what might be maps of the river showing hunting grounds or other sites.

This looks like a big fat lizard. The only fat lizards in Colorado that I know of are the Horned Lizards that as kids we called Horny Toads.

Here's a few of the other images.

These images are on a boulder right below the terrace.

Further along the cliff is another boulder with some images. An image near the top of this rock looks like a scorpion.

Here there are two deer. One has a circle around it for some reason.

There are a lot more faint images but here are a couple that still show up pretty well.

Below the cliffs is the rubble pile remains of another ruin. When this photo was taken it was a severe drought year for the Rio Grande. During a normal flow the green grassy banks would be under water at this time of year as some locals informed us.

This location was well suited for habitation being above the flood plane of the river. It is also the only place in the area where you can ford the river without having to climb any cliffs. It was probably the main route before the Lobatos Bridge was built. (lobatos is the Spanish word for 'wolf cubs'.)

If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Coronado Historic Site

2026-09-21T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5092 - 5095 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Coronado Historic Site
Fee: $7/person
Attractions: pueblo ruins, museum

The Coronado Historic Site is at the Kuaua Pueblo in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Sitting on the bench above the Rio Grande River more than 1,500 rooms were constructed at the site when it was inhabited from about 1300 to 1500. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado entered the Rio Grande Valley near this site in 1540 in search of the Seven Cities of Gold.

For turn-by-turn directions enter Coronado Historic Site into your driving app. From I-25 you will take Exit 242 where you will drive west on US 550 for 1 mile before turning onto Kuaua Road which leads to the parking area.

From the parking area enter through the Visitor Center where you can pay the required fee.

After that you can exit out the back of the building where you can follow the paved path that circles around the pueblo's central plaza passing room blocks, kivas, and more enroute.

As you walk along the self-guided interpretive trail there will be informative kiosks that provide a wealth of information about the site.

One of the key features is a reconstructed room that you can enter through a door in the side. Traditionally, entry into the pueblos rooms would have been up a ladder and through the roof.

Inside this structure they have some grinding slicks and stones, commonly called metate y mano's, on display.

Other features include several round kiva rings and even at least one square kiva.

The reconstructed Painted Kiva can be entered when guided tours are available.

In lieu of stones for building the walls they used round balls of clay which they plastered over with mud.

Since the Kuaua Pueblo was a farming community it is also interesting to see a display of waffle gardens with various plants that the people would have grown.

This authentic ox cart is also very interesting to see.

The Kauau Pueblo at the Coronado Historic Site is one of the easiest places of archeological interest for which to visit. It is very informative and offers a good variety of attractions.

If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Puye Cliff Dwellings

2026-09-18T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6897 - 7066 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 2 hrs.
Trailhead: Puye Cliff Dwellings
Fee: Adults - $40, Senior/Children - $36
Attractions: cliff dwellings, pueblo, petroglyphs

The Puye Cliff Dwellings is a National Historic Landmark that is located near Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. Ruins of a very large pueblo sit on the edge of the mesa at the site while along the cliffs below are numerous cavettes that were dug into the soft volcanic tuff as well as multi-storied rooms that were built up against the cliff. Between the 900s and late 1,400s the site was home to 1,500 Tewa speaking Pueblo Indians.

For turn-by-turn directions enter Puye Cliff Dwellings into your driving app. All but the last few hundred feet of the road is paved and easily accessible by normal highway vehicles.

Without going on the tour all you will see is a distant view of the ruins along the front of the cliffs. While the view is distant it is still a nice view. The tours leave every so often from the Visitor Center and require no advanced reservations.

The tour starts by everyone hopping into a van which drives up to the ruins on top of the mesa. Here the guide begins by telling many interesting stories from the history of Puye and the Tewa People. Our Native guide made the cost of the tour well worthwhile with the stories that he related.

The checkerboard of rooms of the massive pueblo were all built around a large central plaza.

Many of the rooms were multi-storied. This structure was reconstructed to serve as an example for visitors.

People are welcomed to explore the insides.

Those that wish can follow their guide down to the next level of ruins. Others can request to be conveyed back to the Visitor Center in the van.

This is the interior of one of the caves in the upper level of the cliff.

The next lower level is reached by descending a tall, sturdy, well built ladder that is anchored to the cliff and held by a concrete slab at its base.

On this level are many more caves. Most of these caves had rooms built in front of them. The holes in the cliff were dug out to hold one end of the logs that were used in the ceilings. Where there are multiple rows of these holes it is easy to judge how many stories high the rooms reached.

This is how the entire face of the cliff would have appeared back in the day when the site was inhabited.

High up on the cliff are a few interesting petroglyphs.

Our guide mentioned that the site was abandoned when the spring where they got their water dried up. At that time the people moved into the area that is now Santa Clara Pueblo. While on the mesa our guide also pointed out a couple of other similar sites as this that are found across the valley just north of this site. Those sites are closed to visitors. Our guide also told us stories of the Pueblo Revolt, an excursion to the aid of the Hopi People, and several other things of interest. He was a marvelous story teller.

If you would like to see the Puye Cliff Dwellings for yourself all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Taos Pueblo

2026-09-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7110 - 7118 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Taos Pueblo
Fee: $25/person, $22/senior
Attractions: Living pueblo

The Taos Pueblo, located in Taos, New Mexico, 'is one of the oldest living and continuously inhabited communities in the United States'. The Pueblo, estimated to have been constructed between 1000 and 1450 A. D., is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For turn-by-turn directions enter Taos Pueblo into your driving app. The pueblo is open from 9am - 4pm daily except certain tribal holidays. Begin by paying the required fee at the Admissions window across the street from the Pueblo. After paying you may begin your self-guided tour or join one of the guided tours that begins near the Pueblos entrance.

As you enter the Pueblo one of the first structures you will pass is San Geronimo, or St. Jerome, Chapel that was completed in 1850 to replace the original church which was built in 1619 but destroyed during the Taos Revolt of 1847. Saint Jerome is the patron saint of Taos Pueblo.

The Rio Pueblo de Taos divides the Pueblo. Several bridges over the stream allow visitors to explore both areas of the Pueblo. Places where visitors are not allowed to enter are clearly marked. Do not enter any homes, even if the door is open, unless invited.

Each of the dwellings is individually owned and the owners are solely responsible for their upkeep.

The main block of rooms with their colorful doors and windows has a terraced height of as many as 5 stories.

The many adobe ovens that can be seen are also still used to this day.

The outside surfaces of the Pueblo are continuously maintained by replastering with thick layers of a mud straw mixture. Interior walls are carefully coated with thin washes of white earth to keep them clean and bright. (https://taospueblo.com/about/).

These are the remains of the original church that was built in 1619, destroyed in the Spanish Revolt of 1680, and then soon rebuilt to be destroyed once again and finally in 1847 during the Taos Revolt. The old church is surrounded by a large graveyard that is off limits to visitors.

The Native artisans are very skilled in the making of jewelry and leather items like boots, moccasins, and drums. Vendors sometimes display their wares for sale beneath the shaded ramadas. We bought several necklaces and smudge sticks, which are incense bundles made from sage and lavender, for very reasonable prices.

While we were visiting the Taos Pueblo we noticed some workers shaping some large logs into beams without the use of any power tools much as they would have shaped logs for millennia.

Seeing a living pueblo makes it much easier to visualize and interpret the hundreds of fallen ruins that we come across when exploring through the southwest.

If you would like to see the Taos Pueblo for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Arroyo Hondo Petroglyphs

2026-09-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6496 - 6514 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.53443, -105.70684
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs, fishing

The Arroyo Hondo Petroglyphs are located in the Wild and Scenic River Section of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument near Taos, New Mexico. Two very nice petroglyphs can be spotted high up on a cliff just upstream of the confluence of the Rio Grande River and the Rio Hondo.

For turn-by-turn directions you can enter either John Dunn Bridge or 36.53443, -105.70684 into your driving app. From NM-522 you will be directed down the Lower Arroyo Hondo Road for 2.5 miles where you can either park at the wide spot just after the Rio Hondo bridge or before crossing the bridge turn left onto the fishing access road or park near the restrooms on this side of the John Dunn Bridge.

The fishing access road stays on the left side of the Rio Hondo and runs for about 900 feet down to the Rio Grande River. Staying on the Lower Rio Hondo Road itself will take you to the John Dunn Bridge in about the same 900 feet where there is a restroom and lots of parking on both sides of the river.

After a few hundred feet the fishing access road passes through a shady copse.

As soon as you come out of the trees you can spot the petroglyphs high up on the side of the cliff. It isn't very practical to climb up to them.

The big image on the left is a large starburst. On the lower left of that is a smaller starburst and on the right a small circle that you have to zoom in on the photo to see.

The big image on the right is a large bird.

Here's a view of both of the large images together.

Looking around on the north side of the gorge you can find a few very faint images but most of what you will see is a whole lot of graffiti.

On both sides of the river there are trails that are mostly used by fisherman. There is one trail that travels downstream for a couple of miles on the east side of the river that leads to the Manby Hot Springs.

A kiosk that overlooks the river mentions that in 1854 a US Army expedition, guided by Kit Carson, crossed the river here in pursuit of some Jicarilla Apaches. That was before there was a bridge so over 400 horses and men had to swim the swollen Rio Grande and climb the steep cliffs on the west side. Today you can drive across on the John Dunn Bridge and up a long series of switchbacks.

We thought that the area around John Dunn Bridge would be a good place to find some petroglyphs but the only good ones we saw are the two we have shown in this post. Arroyo Hondo was used as a route by Native People long before the Spanish Colonist came onto the scene. If there are more petroglyphs than what we found we missed them completely.

If you would like to see the Arroyo Hondo Petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Slide Trail Petroglyphs

2026-09-02T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6173 - 6223 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: The Slide Trail - Lower Trailhead
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic gorge, petroglyphs

The Slide Trail is located in the Rio Grande Gorge Section of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument near Taos, New Mexico. Along the lower part of the trail there are petroglyphs that can be found on a few of the rocks and boulders.

For turn-by-turn directions enter The Slide Trail - Lower Trailhead into your driving app. There are several routes depending upon your starting point. If coming from the north you will be directed to turn off of US-64 onto the West Rim Road. From the south you will be directed up the scenic NM 570 which travels along the Rio Grande River. Both routes converge at the Taos Junction Bridge where a side route leads through the campground and day use area to the trailhead. Yet another option is to park at the upper trailhead and extend the round trip distance by several miles.

The Slide Trail gently ascends along the Rio Pueblo de Taos on an easy to follow path that is the remains of an old road.

The first boulder with petroglyphs is only about 10 feet off to the creek side of the trail about 900 feet from the trailhead.

Images can be seen on several sides of the boulder and across its top.

These are a few of the images.

There are a few more images on boulders on the opposite side of the trail but these are mostly too obscure to make anything of them.

A little further up is another boulder with some images that is on the creek side of the trail.

This little anthro figure appears to be holding a shield in his right hand while the left is raised and perhaps holding a knife. The cute part of the figure is that you can make out facial features like eyes, nose, and mouth.

Two other images that we found further up the trail above the slide appear to be of a more modern creation.

It seems that at one time the Slide Trail was a wagon or vehicle route that lead across the Rio Grande. The route was closed when a landslide brought a large amount of debris across the trail that probably wasn't deemed feasible to remove.

The petroglyphs aren't the greatest but the area is very scenic and it isn't much trouble to find them If you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Moffat County

2026-09-01T04:00:00.000-06:00

Vermillion Canyon
Round trip distance: 2.5 miles (Moderate)
Elevation: 5855 - 6180 · Fee: none

Big Arsenic Petroglyphs

2026-08-26T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6770 - 7512 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 2 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Big Arsenic
Fee: $3/vehicle
Attractions: Scenic gorge, petroglyphs

Enroute to Big Arsenic Spring, within the scenic gorge of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, near Taos, New Mexico, petroglyphs can be found on many of the boulders along the trail. Most of the petroglyphs have a hunting theme but one that shows a birthing scene speaks of life in general.

For turn-by-turn directions to the trailhead enter 'Big Arsenic Trail' into your driving app. From Highway 522 you will be directed through the town of Cerro and shortly after you will pass into the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. At the 15.1 mile point continue straight on the loop road. (Your driving app might be directing you to turn right at this point but after passing the Wild Rivers Visitor Center the road becomes one-way.) The trailhead is reached at the 15.4 mile point from NM 522.

As the trail descends from the mesa it follows a fun to hike, well constructed, trail that clings to the wall of the gorge.

Interpretive kiosks along the way provide many details about the gorges ecosystem.

Dramatic views of the Rio Grande add to the esthetic pleasures of the hike.

After crossing the foot bridge over the stream from Big Arsenic Spring the campground along the river begins. For the next quarter mile petroglyphs can be found on some of the boulders on both sides of the trail.

The waypoints that we set are all for boulders within 10 feet or so of the trail.

Be sure to check the tops as well as all sides of the boulders for images.

On one of the little mesas there is a side trail that leads into a rock garden where the majority of the petroglyphs can be found. A 'Who Passed this Way' sign reminds visitors to respect Americas past by doing nothing to cause damage to its archeological resources.

On the right there is a large boulder with over a dozen images of big game animals on one side.

On the left side of the same boulder there is an image of a woman giving birth.

Another woman and a lot more images cover the top of the same boulder.

Other images like these footprints and game animals can be found on several of the smaller boulders in the same area.

Here is what looks like an elk that is becoming overgrown with lichen.

Further along the trail past the rock garden we only noticed a couple more images but this one was kind of neat.

Besides deer and elk there are bighorn sheep in the area. We didn't notice any within the gorge but did see this ram along the road right before turning into the Big Arsenic trailhead. While hiking through the campground along the river we noticed some bear scat.

Our late in the afternoon start gave us a crepuscular finish bringing another day to an end. Had we turned around at the last of the petroglyphs we would have beat the setting sun but as they say 'all's well that ends well'.

Supposing that the ancient people that lived in the gorge, for at least part of the year, enjoyed it as much as we did merely hiking in it they surely had a happy life. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Carrizo Canyon III

2026-08-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6000 - 6059 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: 36.63949, -107.57673
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

Carrizo Canyon is located southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico in the Dinetah Area. This post is for the third of three petroglyph sites that we have identified within close proximity of each other that are in Carrizo Canyon.

For turn-by-turn directions enter 36.63949, -107.57673 into your driving app. We parked off to the side of a well site that was just under a half mile from Site II. From there we headed first to where we drew the red circle on the right.

There is a deep wash right in front of this panel so we took our photos from the opposite side of the wash. I suppose the man is meant to be riding a horse and not a giant pig.

There are some easy places to get across the wash to the rest of the panels. The panel with the man riding the horse is just beyond the tree on the right if you would like a closer look at it. The next panels of images start on the left side of the tree.

This partially rayed circle is almost right behind the tree.

As you go along the cliff to the left you will find some old faint basketmaker style images.

Here we appear to have a blend of old and new. On the right the figures have a basketmaker look. The central figure by the bear paw appears to be Navajo.

Here are several more that look like basketmaker.

We had to go in and out of the wash to get around to this panel.

Near that image is this one of a person that looks like it is dancing.

And the very last image looks like a cow.

Carrizo Canyon III is kind of a fun stop. At least it seems fun to us when you can find an area with petroglyphs almost everywhere that you look.

If you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Carrizo Canyon II

2026-08-20T04:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6009 - 6048 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 15 mins.
Trailhead: 36.64365, -107.58121
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

Carrizo Canyon is located southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico in the Dinetah Area. This post is for the second of three petroglyph sites that we have identified within close proximity of each other that are in Carrizo Canyon. This is a very minor site compared to the other two.

For turn-by-turn directions enter 36.64365, -107.58121 into your driving app or just continue 0.6 miles past Site I and park along the road near a well site.

The graffiti that you can see in this photo makes it almost impossible to tell whether the rayed circle cross is something that was made by Native People or Spanish Colonists.

The panel where this image is found has what looks like some unfinished images that were outlined but never pecked out.

There is this panel of deer along the cliff that we didn't notice as we were driving along the road trying to decide whether to stop or not.

Just above the 1904 is either a dog, coyote, or mountain lion.

Other images like this one can be found that are partially dissolved away.

Other than knowing the image in the middle is an animal there's not much to say about the rest.

There isn't enough going on at this site to bother making the usual YouTube slideshow. If there are any other images more interesting than those that we have shown we missed them.

If you would like to look for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Carrizo Canyon I

2026-08-19T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5999 - 6037 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.64384, -107.58988
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

Carrizo Canyon is located southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico in the Dinetah Area. This post is for the first of three petroglyph sites that we have identified within close proximity of each other that are in Carrizo Canyon. This site includes a Basketmaker style panel and several others. There is also an image in the same area depicting a crucifix.

For turn-by-turn directions to the site enter 36.64384, -107.58988 into your driving app. From US-64 you will first turn onto CR 4450 and then onto CR 492 the Carrizo Road. From US-64 it is about 15.2 miles to where the petroglyphs will be on the left.

There are more than 2 dozen of the Basketmaker images.

The anthropomorphic Basketmaker figures come in all sizes but the shape doesn't vary much.

Further along the cliff there is a group of panels with several other styles of petroglyphs.

A little further along the cliff is this image of a crucifix which is probably either Navajo or Spanish Colonial.

Several other small panels of images can be found in the same area of the cliff.

Carrizo Canyon Site I has an interesting mix of petroglyphs that are all within an easy reach of the road.

If you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Encierro Canyon Petroglyphs II

2026-08-18T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.26 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6178 - 6296 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.59777, -107.51579
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

Located in the south branch of Encierro Canyon, southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico, there is a small panel of petroglyphs on a bench about 120 feet above the valley floor. A few very old petroglyphs on the same panel are covered over with a newer coat of patina.

For turn-by-turn directions to the turnoff on CR 492 enter 36.59777, -107.51579 into your driving app. None of our driving apps know anything about this side road but the site is easy to find after getting to the turnoff.

From CR 492, in Carrizo Canyon, it is a third of a mile to where there is a well site on the right. Just past the well site there is plenty of room to pull off the road and park. The petroglyphs can be seen from this point on the cliff just over a tenth of a mile away with a pair of binoculars.

From the bottom of the hill pick whatever route appears the easiest to scramble up the talus slope.

The images themselves are relatively small. From the road even with binoculars its impossible to tell for sure what is there but as you reach the bottom of the hill you can see tantalizingly enough to draw you up the slope.

This is one of the more distinct figures. Off to the left is one of the fainter, older looking, images that we mentioned.

Here's a figure with big hands and big feet.

A couple of birds can be seen above what looks like a rising or setting sun.

The bench may have been a nice warm meditative place to relax during the cooler months of the year and inspired the creation of the petroglyphs at this site.

While in the side canyon we looked for other petroglyphs without finding any but there may still have been some as small as these that we could have missed.

If you would like to search for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Encierro Canyon Petroglyphs I

2026-08-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6147 - 6166 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.60324, -107.51489
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

The Encierro Canyon Petroglyphs Site 1, in the Carrizo Canyon area southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico, includes some of the best petroglyphs found in what is often referred to as Dinétah or 'land of the people' in the Navajo language. There are two groups of petroglyphs at the site with one group being down near ground level and another up on a bench in the cliff.

For turn-by-turn directions enter 36.60324, -107.51489 into your driving app. Via various county roads the location is 21.3 miles from US-64.

The above photos were all taken of petroglyphs that are down near ground level where there are 5 or 6 panels of images.

Up on the narrow bench or ledge there are 3 or 4 more panels with some very nice images. We took all of our photos from below using a zoom lens.

The largest panel includes a little bit of everything from a large Yei figure to several cranes, a line of game animals, and various anthropomorphic figures.

To the right of the main panel is a wedge of rock with mostly animal images.

Further to the right is a large Yei figure, a mountain lion, and what is probably a bean or pepper plant.

Several more figures and a footprint that are off to the left.

Here it looks like there are 3 birds with wings touching and several anthros.

Right where we parked along County Road 492 is at the edge of some private property. All of the petroglyphs are on BLM land. We didn't notice any good places to camp anywhere in this area.

After the fact we noticed a few images that we would have liked to have had closeups of so the next time that we come by here we will probably climb up to the petroglyphs and take more photos or use a crop frame camera that will give us a 1.6x enlargement.

If you would like to see the petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Rincon Largo Petroglyphs

2026-08-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6188 - 6291 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.59276, -107.49638
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

The Rincon Largo Petroglyphs are located in the Carrizo Canyon area southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico. Within a third of a mile stretch of the canyon we have identified 6 panels of petroglyphs, mostly containing various Navajo Yei images. (As Yei we are meaning images of gods, goddesses, or other important people or spirits.)

For turn-by-turn directions to the mouth of Rincon Largo Canyon enter 36.59276, -107.49638 into your driving app. The turnoff on CR-492 is about 22.6 miles from the US-64 junction with CR-4450.

The first three panels are near the 0.6 mile point of Rincon Largo Canyon. One is on the left side of the canyon and two are across the shallow wash on the right.

The first panel has 3 large figures. We've read that figures with square heads usually represent females.

One of the panels on the west side of the canyon is visible from the road. The other is a little further down the cliff. It only has 3 or 4 images with some graffiti scrawled over them.

These are some of the photos of what we labeled as P2.

The 3rd and 4th panels are another 800 feet up the road. They include several very nice Yei images, a large bird, and what we're thinking are 3 mountain lions and maybe a snake. One of the mountain lions has a spear through it and another has one above it as though ready to be pierced.

At the corner of the same cliff are these two images.

The last panel is down at ground level right next to the road. Parts of the image have disappeared along with the surface of the rock but it is obvious that it is another Yei figure.

Rincon Largo dead ends at a well site a little past the last petroglyph. These well sites are visited often by both pickups and large tanker trucks so be sure not to block the road when you park. The short canyon is fun to explore for rock art. We may have missed some of it.

If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Martinez Canyon Petroglyphs

2026-08-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.42 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6284 - 6385 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: 36.57649, -107.45513
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

The Martinez Canyon Petroglyphs are located in the Carrizo Canyon Area southeast of Bloomfield, New Mexico. The site consists of one large panel of petroglyphs that includes multiple bird images.

From County Road 492 the petroglyphs can be seen on the cliff across the wash that runs down the canyon. For turn-by-turn directions to a good place to park and begin hiking enter 36.57649, -107.45513 into your driving app. The location is 4 tenths of a mile past where we parked for the Red Shaman Panel.

After cutting across the sagebrush flat there is an easy place to cross the deep wash.

After crossing the wash there is an easy to follow trail heading toward the petroglyphs. In a few hundred feet you will be able to see the petroglyphs above the wash on the cliff. Continue past them a little to where there is a pretty easy route that you can scramble up. It's much easier to get up to the petroglyphs than what this photo makes it appear.

It's hard to get good photos from right below the panel. Rather than climb on up to that level where with our camera we would have been too close we stepped back a little and used our zoom lens.

On the left side of the panel are what are probably a couple of eagles, a crane, maybe a couple of dogs or mountain lions, and multiple deer.

Some close ups of a few of the images.

This looks like a man and a mountain lion but what the interaction between them is supposed to be we don't know.

The land on both sides of the road through the lower part of Martinez Canyon is BLM but there aren't any places where you could camp. Where the road climbs out of Martinez Canyon is private property and is posted no camping or hunting. Some sections of Carrizo Canyon are also private property but it's difficult to find a camp site even on the public land. We ended up camping about 6 miles away.

As far as the Martinez Canyon Petroglyphs go, if you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Martinez Canyon Red Yei Site

2026-08-14T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6262 - 6310 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: 36.58261, -107.45505
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs, pictograph

A short distance up Martinez Canyon from Carrizo Canyon, east of Bloomfield, New Mexico, there are a couple of large panels of petroglyphs. One of the panels also has a large red anthropomorphic figure that we are supposing is a Yei. Both panels have quite a few interesting petroglyphs that include large cranes and anthropomorphic images.

For turn-by-turn directions to a good place to park along County Road 492 enter 36.58261, -107.45505 into your driving app. The fastest and smoothest route is the one that has you head east on US-64 to County Road 366 and turn right. After another 10.8 miles go left after crossing the wash on County Road 492 where it is only about another 3 tenths of a mile to where you can pull over out of the way on the right. These roads get a lot of oilfield traffic which includes large tanker trucks so be sure to park well out of the way.

The rock art is on the east side of the deep wash that runs down Martinez Canyon. One of the panels is visible from the road while the other is mostly concealed behind a tree. To get across the wash head up the side of the wash to where you can see a pipe crossing the wash and you will find an easy trail to follow into the wash where you can head down until you find another suitable place to climb back out.

The panel on the right has 3 images of cranes on the left side with a large number of anthros throughout.

In some cases cranes were meant to have a relationship with snow. Whether as a type of weather magic I'm uncertain.

A row of anthros can be seen across the top of the panel. The long streams of dots descend from several of their crotches.

Here is a figure wielding a spear and shield who's head in profile reveals facial features.

Here's another image of a crane.

Here's a few of the other images from the same panel.

The panels to the left have less patina to provide contrast to their images.

The large red figure is holding something like short wands in each hand. Over its head is a red and white band.

A few more images from the Red Shaman Panel.

This spot seems to have been selected for its rock art because of a very nice habitable bench right below the images that made a pleasant place from which to view the rest of Martinez Canyon.

If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Pregnant Basketmaker

2026-08-13T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 250 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5997 - 6005 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.76369, -107.64955
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

The Pregnant Basketmaker Site is located in Escarbada Canyon a little northwest of Navajo City, New Mexico. The site, which dates between A.D. 400 to A.D. 950, or the Basketmaker III - Pueblo I period, includes a number of anthropomorphic figures, one of which is a pregnant figure with the baby in position for delivery.

For turn-by-turn directions to the site enter 36.76369, -107.64955 into your driving app. From US-64, at Navajo City, you will be directed north on NM-539 toward Navajo Dam for 2.2 miles where you will turn left into Gobernador Canyon. After another 1.2 miles or so you will go left again into Escarbada Canyon. When you get to where going straight will lead you out of the canyon turn to the left once more.

The Pregnant Basketmaker Site sits right along side of the road making it very easy to find.

The petroglyphs are only about 120 feet from the road. Inside the trail register there is a laminated sheet with some interesting information.

The sheet mentions that there are 3 human like figures but as you can see the count is more like a dozen. Two of the figures on the right have long lines of footprints below them.

On the left side of the panel there are 2 more footprints with 3 anthros and a large number of dots.

In the center of the panel the Pregnant Basketmaker figure and her mate appear to be holding hands.

Below them there are 2 more figures that appear to have young children between them kinda like a family photo.

Further down the cliff there is another place with a few faint petroglyphs including this anthro and some concentric circles.

Closer to the road a little further down is a solitary rock with more faint images.

One of the images on this rock looks like a person holding a shield.

Not more than an hundred yards of so past the last petroglyphs there is a locked gate across the road with a no trespassing sign. It does look like there are some petroglyphs on the south side of the wash near a cave that we didn't take the time to investigate.

If you would like to see the Pregnant Basketmaker Site and the nearby petroglyphs in Gobernador Wash for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Largo Wash Petroglyphs

2026-08-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5886 - 5930 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.58919, -107.67673
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs, inscriptions

Largo Wash, or Largo Canyon, is located east of Bloomfield, New Mexico where after turning off of US-64 it extends southward for over 40 miles. This post is for 5 petroglyph sites that can all be found within a single 2 mile stretch of the road.

For turn-by turn directions to the first site enter 36.58919, -107.67673 into your driving app. From US-64 you will be directed onto CR 4450 for 13.2 miles where the first site will be on your right near the road. From there it is easy to find the other 4 sites and any that we may have missed.

The above images are a few of those from the first site.

The second site is a large area that the BLM has enclosed with a fence. Sadly, there isn't a kiosk at the site to explain their intention in doing so but we're guessing that the images and inscriptions have some historical significance that they especially would like to protect. The images include a mix of both prehistoric Native and later Spanish people.

The 3rd site has one very nice panel that is easy to miss that was probably Navajo in origin among other images both historic and prehistoric.

The 4th site is mostly, but not all, historical images. Notice the perfect arrowhead to the right of the crack in the above image.

Besides the historical images at the 5th site there is the panel in the photos above that has 2 recurved bows, a corn plant, a bird, and some lion tracks.

All 5 of these sites come up before reaching the turnoff to the Crow Canyon Petroglyphs. They make an interesting addition for anyone visiting those sites even though most of the petroglyphs aren't nearly as nice as those in Crow Canyon.

Many more petroglyphs and pictographs can be found on both sides of the wash up and down Largo Canyon for those that have the time to search them out.

If you would like to see them for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Gobernador Wash Petroglyphs

2026-08-11T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5938 - 5982 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead turnoff: 36.77130, -107.62215
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

Gobernador Wash is located near Navajo City, New Mexico. Within a short stretch of the wash we were able to discover a handful of interesting panels of petroglyphs. We marked five of them on our map.

Driving apps seem to be unaware of the Gobernador Wash Road so for turn-by-turn directions enter 36.77130, -107.62215 into your driving app which are the coordinates for the turnoff. From US 64 you will be directed north on the Navajo Dam Road, CO 539, for 2.2 miles to the turnoff where you will go to the left. Measuring from the turnoff it is about 1.1 miles to the spot in this photo where you can park out of the way next to a gas riser.

After parking follow the old pipeline road toward the cliffs on the opposite side of the wash where the pipelines come out of the ground to go up the cliffs.

The first panel that we marked is hidden away behind some trees. It looks like some anthros connected by a long line.

At the next stop there is an even larger panel of anthros. We were able to spot this panel with our binoculars from the road.

I'm not sure whether this figure has hair whorls, ear loops, or large dangly earrings.

Often when the arms are pointing downward the figure is meant to represent an ancestor.

How they would be able to tell who each figure represented with no more identifying marks is a mystery as all the figures look so similar.

A few old inscriptions which are very common in the area are also present.

This photo is zoomed out to show a long line of prints going up the cliff.

Off to the right of the prints are these images. The smaller image is a perfect looking horse or burro head.

Here is another panel with what might be a long serpent going from the bottom of the rock all the way up over the top edge. There are some anthros off to the right and a lot of dots.

These images are from a panel that is hidden behind some trees.

There are a few more images along the cliffs like this concentric circle that are pretty faint for which we didn't set any waypoints.

There should be more areas with petroglyphs further into Gobernador Canyon and even up Escarbada Canyon. Be aware that once you get deeper into both of those canyons you will eventually run into some private property.

If you would like to see the Gobernador Wash Petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Tapacito Creek Petroglyphs

2026-08-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6242 - 6275 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead turnoff: 36.45436, -107.46895
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs

The Tapacito Creek Petroglyphs are located in the Dinetah area east of Bloomfield, New Mexico. There are several places along the first several miles of the creek where there are small panels of petroglyphs. Some of them appear to be of Navajo origin and there are others that might have been made by colonists from Mexico.

Driving apps aren't aware of the oilfield road that will get you to the petroglyphs so for turn-by-turn directions use the coordinates of the turnoff 36.45436, -107.46895. After turning onto this road follow it for a half mile to where it comes to a shallow wash that leads from a spillover.

The petroglyphs are visible from the road. An easy route to get to them is to simply walk up the wash until you are below them and then walk out of the wash for the last 20-30 feet to the panel.

The panel is framed on both sides by areas of darker patina.

On the left side of the panel are 3 anthros of contrasting sizes from very little to quite large.

All the way on the right is what might be a warrior holding a large shield.

Interspersed between these are a few more anthros.

Among the zoomorphs there is this very large bodied image and several others which are much smaller.

We also explored the cliffs further down the canyon toward Largo Wash and found what looks like the initials 'JI'.

In another spot there is what might be a Mexican. It is hard to tell what he is holding but some ideas are a sword in one hand and a tobacco pipe in the other.

There could be a lot more rock art along the Tapicito Road. As yet, we haven't explored it any further than the turnoff to the Tapicito and Split Rock Ruins.

If you would like to see the Tapicito Creek Petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.

Largo School Ruin

2026-08-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Rating:
Round Trip Distance: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6389 - 6506 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: 36.47178, -107.52862
Fee: none
Attractions: pueblito

The Largo School Ruin is located in the Dinetah area east of Bloomfield, New Mexico. Found at the site is 'a small pueblito of two or three rooms which overlooks Largo Wash (BLM kiosk).

For turn-by-turn directions to the trailhead enter 36.47178, -107.52862 into your driving app or simply continue past the Hooded Fireplace Ruin for another half mile. The trail begins as a single track that travels along the side of the road.

As it crosses the sage covered bench toward Largo Wash it follows a deeply rutted old 4WD track.

Once you reach the edge of the canyon you will want to hike to the left along the rim until you come to the pueblito. There are a few faint, hard to follow, trails back from the rim in the trees but at present there isn't an official well defined trail.

The pueblito sits on a promontory overlooking Largo Wash.

Like most of the other similar sites in the area this one has an information kiosk with a map of the ruins and some interesting information.

Looking at the main room from the inside shows a partial roof and a surprising amount of interior space.

This may have been another room or a parapeted work area. It certainly has a commanding view of Largo Wash and the mouth of Ice Canyon.

We noticed a mano on one of the rocks. It would have been used for grinding corn, seeds, and such. Be sure to leave all artifacts where you find them for others to enjoy while remembering that it is illegal to remove artifacts from archeological sites. And since anywhere that an artifact is found makes that an archeological site you mustn't collect anything from anywhere on public property.

Below the ruin in Largo Canyon can be seen the old Largo School which at one time served the families of local ranchers. I believe that today it might be called the Mustang Camp. Among their livestock we noticed a few burros, horses, and a zebra.

The Largo School Ruin is small but it is interesting to see how it was adapted to its location on the promontory and imagine how life would have been carried on from day to day at the site.

If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.