Friday, September 08, 2017

Summer Vacation Redux #22: Trail Lakes Petroglyphs


After a hearty breakfast (More Monkey-Bread, please!) we headed out for a morning of exploring some of the petroglyphs of the Ring Lake region nearby.  These ancient rock 'drawings' are very much still a matter of speculation.  Some of the things archeologists are willing to say.  They are old!  You will get a range of dates when you attempt to research them from 3,500 to 1,000 years old.  This, of course, is crazy.  But could also be referring to any of the various sites across Wyoming where similar ancient art exists (I discovered at least 6 other locations hundreds of miles apart.  I wondered why no one has bothered to carbon date them.  They were made by the forbearers of the present incumbent Shoshone Indian People--which most recently would have been the Sheep Eater Indian People, but if they reach back for 2 or 3 millennia, then certainly their ancestors, or ancestors ancestors!  They are enigmatic--there is no consensus as to what they represent.  Your guess is as good as any!  Enjoy.
 Heading up Trail Lake Road into the Wind River Mountains, you'll drive along a trio of Lakes.  This is the first lake: Torrey Lake.
 The petroglyphs are everywhere, anywhere, and nowhere--which is to say, they could be all around you, but it certainly helps to have along someone with the experience to know where!
 Our chosen goal was to arrive at Ring Lake Ranch and through my friend's expertise in relationship-building persuade the Ranch's manager to allow us a tour of their particularly exquisite array of petroglyphs.  The ranch is a spiritual retreat center and Sundays are usually slow days with weekly guests just starting to arrive for the follow 6 days of activities, lectures and reflection.  If you find this sort of thing appealing, by all means, check out their website by searching Ring Lake Ranch.

The ranch is also built along side of the third and final lake in the trio: Trail Lake .
 To our utter delight, we were granted unfettered access to these magnificent petroglyphs with Pamela's care, of course.  And they truly are stunning.

 Do you see it?

 There are no dull colors in the landscape.







 Some still remain lichen encrusted.  Makes you consider every rock face carefully and with a heightened level of curiosity.





 Doesn't the mountain on the left look like the silhouette of a baboon?
 Everything you need to know about the guests who come to Ring Lake Ranch!
 The Ranch from the opposite side of Trail Lake.  Can you still the socks?
 More glyphs on this side of the lake, too.

 We drove on up into the valley until the forest service stopped us at this point.  The problem?  Too many vehicles had already gone up to set up camp for tomorrow's Total Eclipse.  This valley and these mountains are on the line of Totality--this is among the most sought after locales on the continent.  And still, I got this view, right?!
 Sometimes the petroglyphs are right in front of your face.


 I think this one was my favorite.
 Down off the mountain pass and on to Dubois for lunch.

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