Petroglyph Lake
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this destination:
- Petroglyph Lake Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 42.5804, -119.6743
- Elevation: 5630 feet
Description
There are about 65 panels of petroglyphs along the low western rim of this shallow lake. Rock art experts assign the petroglyphs here to three groupings: more recent and more hastily sketched spirit representations, perhaps done as part of a vision quest or just itinerant doodling; more ancient and deeply carved abstract representations; and “lizard style” representations. The figures were scratched with stone implements in the desert varnish, the natural patina that accumulates on rocks over time. No traditional explanation has been handed down as to their true meaning.
There are other lakes nearby, but Petroglyph Lake keeps a good water level much farther into the summer, which may be one reason why Native Americans tarried here. You are likely to scare up a herd pf antelope resting in the meadows by the lake.
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Contributors
- bobcat (creator)