Today we decided to go check out the Petroglyphs at Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.
“The Three Rivers Petroglyphs are outstanding examples of prehistoric Jornada Mogollon rock art. The basaltic ridge rising above the Three Rivers Valley contains over 21,000 petroglyphs, including masks, sunbursts, wildlife, handprints, and geometric designs. The number and concentration of petroglyphs make this one of the largest and most interesting rock art sites in the Southwest. A rugged 0.5-mile trail begins at the visitor shelter and links many of the most interesting petroglyphs. Another short trail begins on the east side of the picnic area and leads to a partially excavated prehistoric village.
The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is one of the few locations in the Southwest set aside solely because of its rock art. It is also one of the few sites giving visitors such direct access to petroglyphs. The number and concentration of petroglyphs here make it one of the largest and most interesting petroglyphs sites in the Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres of New Mexico’s northern Chihuahuan Desert. The petroglyphs at Three Rivers, dating back to between about 900 and 1400 AD, were created by Jornada Mogollon people who used stone tools to remove the dark patina on the exterior of the rock. A small pueblo ruin is nearby and Sierra Blanca towers above to the east. A detailed petroglyph guide is available at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.” CREDIT: https://www.blm.gov/visit/three-rivers-petroglyph-site
We spoke with the camp host here and she was hilarious. I asked about camping and cost and flips out a laminated sheet of passes we could use to get in cheap or FREE. I said, “Oh, we have THAT ONE and she’s replies, “You’re in for FREE!” Then she goes on jokingly saying, “There are two theories up here…. one is these are for real and were carved into the stones many years ago and the other is it was a bunch of drunken teenagers.” I about wet myself laughing. She made the trip up here so much fun. She spent about 30 minutes with us, talking, laughing, and carrying on.
Her and her husband volunteer here through the BLM work camp program and they’ve been here 9 months. BLM provides them with a great spot for their really big 5th wheel, propane, water, electric, and an outdoor freezer. The closest town is about 30 miles away she said. I didn’t ask what the commitment of hours were per week.
She gave us a lovely description of the hike we were going to take and what we’d be seeing and where to go to see it. She kept saying look all around you – in front of you, behind you, beside you.
The .5 mile wasn’t too bad. Some of the rock steps were high ones but the view was great and the amount of Petroglyphs was astounding. There are little drawings literally everywhere and the path is marked and coincides with the map you’re given.
Well worth the visit! Thank you park volunteer for making our hike enjoyable!
Here’s the whole view of the tiny campground canopied by the Sacramento Mountains! What a great office view, right?
We also visited White Sands National Monument this day, but that will be in the next post.