Indian Wells Canyon Pictographs

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Pictographs
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Indian Wells Canyon Pictographs

The pictograph site in Indian Wells Canyon is not a well documented site thus there is no visible vandalization, and the site is well-preserved.

The Indian Wells Canyon pictographs were discovered in 1968 by Grant, Baird and Pringle during field reconnaissance in the Southern Sierra Nevada. The attributes of these pictographs tie them to “Coso” style rock art.  Based on the images depicted it would date these pictographs to historic times which is unusual because it was previously believed that no “Coso” style rock art was created during this time period.

Below you will find a number of photographs of the pictographs, as well descriptions of what I believe I see in them. I am not an expert on rock art, so take my descriptions with a grain of salt. You may see something completely different.

 

Due to the sensitive nature of these sites locations are no longer available via the website. If you are interested in visiting this or any other sensitive sites I recommend that you utilize my guide service.

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – Near the bottom you will see two men on horse back, wearing hats. This would date these pictographs to a time period when white settlers have already been in the area.  It was previously believed that all “Coso” style rock art was created in prehistoric times.

 

Pictographs

Pictograph – What appears to be a man

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – What would appear to be a blanket, as well you can see a number of circular designs. There is also a large up and down line that runs across the length of the bolder that these pictographs are painted on.

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – A second pictograph that is appears to be almost identical to the man pictograph above, however extremely faded.

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – The two men, both with a swirly circle above their heads.

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – Two stick figures

 

Cave

Cave at the pictograph site. Shows smoke suite on the top of the cave.

 

Cave

Cave – View from inside of the cave looking out over the Indian Wells Valley.

 

Bone

A bone of some sort that I accidentally kicked up from underneath the ground.

 

Pictographs

Pictographs – A full view of the surrounding site.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/groups/358025760893320/#!/groups/445358320166/ Cwh-1

    This is a wonderful place. Very nice..

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/G253BF4NYMXWLYIGRGXVEKSIKI Camera R

    This is a very neat site to visit. Here’s a recent visit my wife and I made Feb 2012.

    What I see in these pictographs requires a large stretch of the imagination. The jagged line represents the jagged ridgeline directly above where this boulders resides in Indian Wells Canyon, and as such the overall scene represents the history of IWC. The scene is a creation/history story, and is read from right to left. The two tiny stick figures on the right represent the first two people to arrive in Indian Wells Canyon. The two giants and the shield represent the “great spirits” that overlook and protect IWC and its occupants. And proceeding to the far left represents the modern lives of the late occupants (as when this painting was made).

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