4 votes

Rochester Creek Rock Art Panel

Utah USA

Independent

The Rochester Rock Art Panel consists of a large number of petroglyphs of various ages. Some are prehistoric rock art, probably of Fremont culture origin. Others are probably modern, depicting horses, for example. And some are perhaps of very recent origin, most likely the work of white explorers, settlers, and/or tourists. There is a great deal of graffiti near the main panel that is obviously of fairly recent origin. The majority of the panel is covered with a dark desert varnish which contrasts nicely with the light sandstone that is exposed when the petroglyphs are pecked into the surface. There are several sections of very light stone in the center of the panel where it appears some of original stone was removed, probably by collectors who were after the figures inscribed there. The panel is located 3 miles east of Emery, Utah but is accessed via a graded road coming from a turnoff to the north, near the town of Moore. To get to the panel drive to the turnoff between mile markers 16 and 17 on highway 10 between the towns of Emery and Ferron. Take the paved road heading east to Moore for about half a mile. Turn south onto a well-graded road and drive for about 4 miles, passing a radio tower on the way. From the parking lot an obvious hiking trail of about a half mile leads along the side of a small canyon to the panel. Image:RochesterPanel 05 2008.JPG|Overview head on Image:RochesterPanel 06 2008.JPG|Overview from an angle Image:RochesterPanel 01 2008.JPG|Detail of the rainbow Image:RochesterPanel 02 2008.JPG|Detail Image:RochesterPanel 03 2008.JPG|Detail Image:RochesterPanel 04 2008.JPG|Detail of a Barrier Canyon Style Figure Image:RochesterPanel 07 2008.JPG|Detail Image:RochesterPanel 08 2008.JPG|Additional panel slightly to the south of the main one Image:RochesterPanel 09 2008.JPG|Rock art inside a rockfall cave near the main panel

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Reviewed by
maddie72

1 Review
0 Helpful

April 17, 2024

Rated 5.0

Beautiful a little bit of a hike so worrth it!!

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Reviewed by
roadtripper7201922

22 Reviews
2 Helpful

June 23, 2022

Rated 5.0

We stopped as we were driving thru. We stayed longer then we expected. This would be a great place to camp, enjoy the side by side and hike. We could spend 2 or days days here. I love history so this place was a nice treat.

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Reviewed by
igoe

10 Reviews
1 Helpful

January 14, 2019

Rated 5.0

Petroglyphs seem to be getting hard to find as more effort is put in to protecting them, including not advertising their locations. This place is not well sign-posted, but not too hard to find.

And it is really interesting. We went there on a cold but clear winter’s day. There was a lot of snow on the ground, so the path was a little difficult to follow. There were no other human footprints to follow, but we did see some mountain lion tracks amongst all the other wildlife tracks. Be warned!

There are a few markers along the trail with arrows painted on them. One of them seemed to indicate to go up the hill, but there didn’t seem to be a trail there. Fortunately, we spotted another marker further along, and found the petroglyphs soon after.

There are a lot of really interesting – and some unusual – markings here. Amongst the usual animals and humans were some strange looking creatures, and a couple of birthing scenes. There were some markings from the 1920s and 1940s, which adds a bit of more recent history. I guess the modern graffiti will be historic in a 100+ years too.

As another reviewer has said, it is a beautiful hike, but take water. We went with a 6yo and 9yo, who both managed the hike without too much trouble. You may be the only people out there (as we were), so it might be wise to let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to return.

Interestingly, when I added this site into my Roadtrippers map, it wanted to take us in directly off the I-70 highway. The written directions however are correct in taking you through Emery on Hwy10, then onto the 801 and 805. That’s the way Google maps took us too.

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Reviewed by
mistycs

3 Reviews
0 Helpful

July 16, 2018

Rated 5.0

This is a very accessible place to visit. It is a short, very beautiful hike to the site. The panel has been damaged by some visitors, but there is still a lot to see. We really enjoyed it. We hiked out, and ate a snack at the site while we looked at the wall. It really is pretty remote out there, make sure to have water and walking shoes.

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