23. Mountain Lion Mesa, Petrified Forest National Park (Fri)

Moderate

Full day 

No shade - will be hot.

Mountain Lion Mesa, located in the Southern end of Petrified Forest National Park, contains a plethora of rock art panels with a total of 1128 elements recorded at five sites.  The rock art dates from PI and PII with some kachina masks from the PIV period which is typical of the Palavayu region (Lower Puerco River, central drainage of Little Colorado River).  Stand-out panels display anthros, zoomorphs, and geometric/abstract designs.  Hiking distance is short but most rock art is on large boulders, so much climbing/scrambling is required, as well as ascending steep slopes with marble rock surface.  Time allowing, we may take a detour to another outstanding rock art location, Martha's Butte, about 1/2 mile distant. 

Travel distance:  115 Miles, plus 2 miles on gravel road, each way.  Travel time:  ca. 2.5 hours each way.