SarahBrief Overview
West of Grand Junction, Colorado – Located on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area lies the McDonald Creek Cultural Area. This area is scenic and encompasses 122300 acres and is home to some of Western Colorado’s stunning rock art. If you are familiar with the rock art found in Moab, Utah then you will notice a similar style with this rock art
Fun Fact: The McDonald Creek Cultural Resource Management Area was set aside to help protect the ancient archeological sites that are scattered throughout the canyon.
Location: 39° 9’31.03″N, 109° 2’2.87″Ws
Trail:
Once you reach the trailhead, there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the cultural area. The area is open to hiking and horseback riding only. We did notice bike tires on our hike, but this is not allowed in the area and if too many people break the rules it may be shut down. Please follow all rules and guidelines to keep our trails open.
Once on the hike you will notice that there are no signs that point you in the correct direction of the wall art. The BLM left this area this way on purpose. They want all visitors to experience the canyon the way the Native Americans did. Trust me, this gives you and experience and a sense of adventure of what might be around every corner. You are truly discovering the past without the aids of others. Truly amazing.
How to Find the Rock Art?
Our best advice is to think like an Indian – I know, cliché. Think about shelter and if you were a Fremont Indian 1000 years ago, where would you like to seek shelter? Look at rock overhangs and areas protected from water coming off the cliffs. Also, think about areas you’ve previously seen rock art – What did they look like? How were they positioned?
Once we found the first panel the search was on. The first of the rock art panels is not too far into the trail surprisingly. If you follow the stream bed down from the parking area, it’s located on a west facing wall. These ones are pictographs.
What is the difference between Pictographs and Petroglyphs?
Well, I’m glad you asked! Pictographs are paintings on the rocks and petroglyphs are actual carvings either scraped or “pecked” into the stone. There are more petroglyphs located around the Grand Junction area than there are pictographs. Getting to see pictographs in the Grand Junction area is a real treat for us. If you are ever in the area, this makes this hike a must do adventure.
After finding the first panel we continued on our hike up the canyon. You will be looking at every corner thinking “is this a spot”. Everett thought this was like a giant game of hide and seek – the art was trying to hide from us. If you are traveling with kids, this can make it a fund game while you search for the petroglyphs. Who’s going to find them first?
Remember to be adventurous. Some are more hidden than other.
When you reach the end of the trail you will be at the Colorado River. This is a nice place to enjoy lunch and take a break before you hike back out of the canyon.
Common Questions
Can I touch the Rock Art?
When you find the rock art, DO NOT TOUCH. Just like all other rock art sites, the oil from our hands can destroy the sandstone and cause it to crumble. We need to preserve this area for future generations and we are the rock art’s worst enemy.
Our Tips:
- Bring a really good map of the area. I recommend All Trails for this hike/area – We used All Trails for this hike and it worked great.
- There is limited cell phone service. Make sure someone knows what your plans are in case you have issues with your rig.
- If you are coming to this area in off season, bring spare shoes. It can get muddy if you take the hike all the way to the river
- Do not attempt if there are storms in the area. This area can have flash flooding.
- 4×4 is recommend, but not required to reach the trailhead depending on conditions.
Directions:
- Follow I-70 west for 29.7 miles to the Rabbit Valley exit (Exit 2).
- Turn south (left) at the stop sign at the top of the off ramp.
- Cross over the highway and a cattle guard. This area is used as a staging/parking area for the Rabbit Valley area.
- Stay on the main road going straight (southwest) for about three miles
- Toward the end of the road, you’ll find two parking areas with restrooms. The trailhead enters McDonald Creek from the lower parking area.
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
Amelia Earhart
