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Thursday, December 17, 2020

Redstone petroglyph loop

 This is a loop hike of about 4.5 miles from mm 25.5 on Northshore road. It goes to a very good petroglyph panel of Processing Bighorns




On the way you pass the first red rock outcrop with this formation on the top.  After it you dip down into a wash and go up the other side to get to the main red rock area with the petroglyph.




On the high ground just before dropping down an easy slope into the second large red rock area we saw some friendly bighorns




They stopped in the sun to pose for a photo.




A minor window with a view.



This in in the slot leading to the petroglyph. This might be Pack Rat scat.




The slot required taking off packs.








Just through the slot, turn left and this is the first petroglyph on the wall



This is the second one on the wall.



Third one is the best.







After the petroglyphs, double back past the slot exit and see this arch just before the trail stops at a major drop into a low alcove. We doubled back again and took a ramp out of the area by the slot exit to the high ground to search for another way down. We went a long way around to the left before finding an easy one



An unidentified cactus on the plateau.



Looking off the plateau to Pinto Valley



As we worked our way down and around, we passed this new arch.



Face/nose rock




Working our way around the low edge of the red rock there is this nice arch


Small minor formation in front of the  alcove we saw from on high where the trail stopped. We thought there were petroglyphs here too but couldn't find them.



Telephoto shot of another petroglyph we almost missed because we left the red rock to find a path back to the cars in the valley below.








We ended up taking the old Arrowhead road back to the cars.



The Bearpaw Poppies were looking good even though it has been over 200 days without rain.