Petroglyph Lake, Hart Mtn 10/22/20
Posted: February 19th, 2021, 8:25 am
I took a 5 day road trip to SE Oregon last fall and was able to hike every day. This was my favorite excursion.
Hart Mountain is a massive fault block that rises up from the desert. There is one road that takes you up the cliffs to a vast plateau, where you will find the reserve headquarters, hot springs, and gravel roads leading to high lonesome spots of interest. I parked at a gravel pullout near the rim and wandered cross country along Poker Jim Ridge, in the general northerly direction toward Petroglyph Lake(not visible from the road). The terrain is flat, but very uneven with rocks, so it requires attention to footwork. Hard to do when you are astounded by the big sky and dramatic landscape. I flushed many of these large gray fowls enroute. Finally caught one with my camera. I think it's a sage grouse, but not sure. Finally the (seasonal) lake came into view. You might be able to make out the buildings of the refuge headquarters beyond, Where would the petroglyphs be? See the little bit of rock on the right? Seems like the only possibility. I was underwhelmed and expecting disappointment as I approached. As I neared the rim, I was greeted by this: Then the art show began! The lovely low autumn sun seemed to shine a spotlight on the images, and there were many!
I spotted over 40 images. Some were obvious animals and people. Others were strange symbols, but the most intriguing were the otherworldly spirit figures. This panel has so much on it. Stick figure humans, animals and other symbols. At the other end of the lake is the trail-mostly an old road for an easy 1.5 mile hike out.
While I was up on the plateau, I decided to check out the Hotsprings Campground. As I pulled up to th hotsprings, the only visitors were leaving, so I had the place to myself.
This is the "bath house". Inside is a nice deep hotspring surrounded by cement. After my dip, I went over to this nearby outdoor hotspring which is only knee deep. I dangled my feet, and sketched. Took a little nap while listening to bird song.
Hart Mountain is a massive fault block that rises up from the desert. There is one road that takes you up the cliffs to a vast plateau, where you will find the reserve headquarters, hot springs, and gravel roads leading to high lonesome spots of interest. I parked at a gravel pullout near the rim and wandered cross country along Poker Jim Ridge, in the general northerly direction toward Petroglyph Lake(not visible from the road). The terrain is flat, but very uneven with rocks, so it requires attention to footwork. Hard to do when you are astounded by the big sky and dramatic landscape. I flushed many of these large gray fowls enroute. Finally caught one with my camera. I think it's a sage grouse, but not sure. Finally the (seasonal) lake came into view. You might be able to make out the buildings of the refuge headquarters beyond, Where would the petroglyphs be? See the little bit of rock on the right? Seems like the only possibility. I was underwhelmed and expecting disappointment as I approached. As I neared the rim, I was greeted by this: Then the art show began! The lovely low autumn sun seemed to shine a spotlight on the images, and there were many!
I spotted over 40 images. Some were obvious animals and people. Others were strange symbols, but the most intriguing were the otherworldly spirit figures. This panel has so much on it. Stick figure humans, animals and other symbols. At the other end of the lake is the trail-mostly an old road for an easy 1.5 mile hike out.
While I was up on the plateau, I decided to check out the Hotsprings Campground. As I pulled up to th hotsprings, the only visitors were leaving, so I had the place to myself.
This is the "bath house". Inside is a nice deep hotspring surrounded by cement. After my dip, I went over to this nearby outdoor hotspring which is only knee deep. I dangled my feet, and sketched. Took a little nap while listening to bird song.