Checking Out The Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel
We were boondocking near Goblin Valley State Park when Jamey discovered we were only a few miles from the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel so we decided to check it out.
Located on BLM land off of Temple Mountain Road (38.66058, -110.66954) we easily found the parking lot for the panel. It is situated in the Temple Mountain Wash, a drainage channel that cuts through the eastern flank of the San Rafael Swell.
These are some of the largest prehistoric pictographs in Utah and the largest we have ever seen.
The largest image is about six feet tall. These dark red images depict anthropomorphic (human-like figures) and zoomorphic (animal-like figures) designs.
Please note that even though they are large and impressive there are less than ten of them. Once upon a time, there were more, but rock from the cliff wall has broken over the years and images have been lost.
Another unique thing about this panel is there are two ages of petroglyphs present.
One set is from the Fremont Culture that existed from AD 100 to AD 1300. The other set is Barrier Canyon Style which experts have disagreements on when that period actually was.
The Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel is a protected archaeological site, and visitors are encouraged to treat it with respect and care. It is important not to touch or disturb the rock art in any way. These fragile images should be preserved for future generations to appreciate and study.
