Cedar City Mystery Glyphs

June 27, 2014 -- Cedar City, Utah.  The Mystery Glyphs have been a fascination for me for a couple of years now.  Apparently, in different locations acorss Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California and Idaho similiar glyphs appear.  

I first visited the Ogden Mystery Glyphs and wrote about that experience. So I was elated to have an afternoon in Cedar City following a work conference that allowed me to explore the Cedar City Mystery Glyphs. 

Following some cryptic directions I had collected I found my way to the dirt road that lead into the mountains directly east of Cedar City.  All I really had to go on was a vague discription of following a wash, look for a cave and then a photo graph of the view of Cedar City.

 After exploring rocks and hiking a about 1.5 miles into the red-rock mountain landscape I was pleasantly rewarded with what looked like a flute playing glyph.

 Around the corner I found what appeared to be a Celtic looking knot.

 Then it was further exploring looking for the mystery glyphs.

 Coming up the step side of a mountain and around a corner I found the entrance to small cave.

 Above the entrance the glyphs appeared.

 The glyphs themselves aren't necessarily authentic to the ancients but rather a pioneer or early white settler. What makes the mystery is that the glyphics seemingly match those in Ogden, Pocatello, etc. and are so remote and spread apart.

Of course, the views of the Cedar City landscape was beautiful and exploring the incredible area was a blast.

 With incredible natural beauty, other mysteries in the mountains and endless opportunities to discover new vistas I'm sure I'll be back to Cedar City and surrounding. As for the Mystery Glyphs - they certainly keep revealing something new.

Rare Petroglyph Panel- Echo Canyon

October 17, 2013 Near Echo Canyon, Utah -- I jumped at the opportunity to go on a field trip with the local USAS chapter (Utah Statewide Archaeological Society) to a panel which probably hasn't been seen by anyone other than the landowner in 30+ years.

 Finding rock art in Northern Utah isn't as of course as common as Southern Utah so to find such an impressive panel is pretty special.  The site on private land in a remote canyon adjacent to Echo Canyon was spectacular and unique.

Just south of what was a certainly occupied overhang was an impressive panel depicting a huge buffalo, deer, shield and people.

Down the canyon we found an overhang that certainly was inhabited because we found a broken metate, buffalo bones and painted ceilings.

As always it's important to remember that one should only take pictures, be judicious in revealing locations, and always try to leave no trace.  History is always beneath our feet but we have a obligation to protect our past. 

Parowan Gap Petroglyphs

September 6th, 2013, Parowan, Utah -- I never get tired of this place.  Just west of Parowan is "God's Own House" according to Chief Wakara, the famous Paiute leader.  The Parowan Gap is the home to an incredible collection of petroglyphs with speculated solar and lunar connections and calendaring.

Looking west out of the gap.

Mystery Glyph?

Early settler.

Skull and crossbone, could this mark a settlers grave?

Inside one of the caves in the area.