Cave Valley Pictograph Hunt Zion National Park, Utah

October 11, 2017

Having spent the morning on Taylor Creek in the Kolob section of the park, I have driven up the back way to this location, which reputedly features a cave full of pictographs.

Starting out

My guidance being vague, I am not sure whether to explore the cliffs to the right or the left.  I'll try the right-hand side first, because it's closer.

Entering Cave Valley

Approaching the rocks

Nothing here

Keeping the cows in

Nifty formations above

Lots of footprints are leading to a big cleft ahead.

It looks promising

There is stuff in the cave

An unlikely pile of old bones

I see no writing on any wall, however.  Even some flash photos reveal nothing.

Leaving the cave

The search continues

Nice patterns

Well, this hasn't worked out at all, and there are no more cliffs to explore over here.

I'll try my luck over there

Is that a real arch?  I think not.

Hot, dusty walking

Someone thinks that travelers pass this way

More patterns, but no pictures

Colorful watermarks on the walls

Is that a cave?

Another dead-end

I give up.  It appears that I will not find any treasures today.

Departing the rocks

Rather than take the circuitous route back through that little green gate, I opt to head directly for the car.

The fence is crossed here with little difficulty

Pine Valley Peak to the north

My car in the west

§: Must a hike be wildly successful in order to hold some interest?  I hope not, because I had a reasonably good time in this valley despite a failure to find any paintings on cave walls.

From here it's off to the heart of the park and a petroglyph site that I am confident of locating.

• Trailhead: Kolob Reservoir Road
• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation: 5800' to 5900'
• Hikers: none
• Rating: 4

Continuing down Kolob Reservoir Road toward the highway, I encounter several unlikely but beautifully crafted wooden structures.

Artwork in the making

This one houses a wind chime, with ground-level lighting installed for night viewing

FOLLOW-UP

In October of 2019, I revisited this area and did locate the pictographs!  There even is a visitor register at the site.  Photos are posted on my Rock Art  page.