Black Dragon Wash - San Rafael Swell

RATING: Easy Walking

LENGTH: < 1 hour.

MAPS: Spotted Wolf Canyon, UT

SEASON: Any

DOWNLOAD: PDF Version download pdf

WAYPOINTS:
	Black Dragon Panel	12S 549781mE 4310627mN

Hype

Black Dragon wash has a great petroglyph and pictograph panel. It's close proximity to I-70 make it a great road side diversion when in the Green River area.

Trailhead

Note: Reaching the panel requires a high clearance vehicle.

From Green River, head west (toward Salina) approximately 14 miles to mile marker 147. Here, a gated side road goes north (right) off of I-70.

From the gate (please close behind you), head north 0.1 miles, and turn left at the junction, crossing a wash. Follow the main road here through several sandy spots for 1 mile to a signed junction. Go left, heading up Black Dragon Wash, and into the reef.

Note: 0.1 miles after starting up Black Dragon Wash, a side road on the left is the best option. You can drive up the wash, as many have, but it is a much worse road than the road on the left side of the wash.

It is 0.5 miles from the signed Black Dragon turn to the panel (1.5 miles total from the highway). The last 0.2 miles was in bad shape (as of summer 2007), so we parked before the actual panel and walked the final short distance.

Route

The panel is clearly marked as a fenced area. Black Dragon, the namesake of the area, is on the left, while other panels are to the right of it. Enjoy the panels.

Photos (click on photo for more detail)

Maps

Comments

This is a fabulous place to spend an afternoon. The short stretch of canyon leading to the rock art panel is magnificently narrow and dramatically deep. Wild chrysanthemums grow on the bare canyon walls where seeps of water break through. The mouth of the canyon allows easy hiking access to the top of the walls, on both sides of the canyon, great for the adolescent crowd to burn some energy. On either side, rain-filled basins carved from the pristine sandstone are home to pollywogs and tiny frogs, depending on the season. (please respect their precarious life-cycle and just watch little critters ---- no touching)

by: palestrina7 [Dec 31, 2011]

from the panel go rt. into a cave/alcove and notice other very interesting artwork lines drawn as though the ancient indians were keeping track of something, possibly a calender of some sorts, also another overlooked treat is the alcove above and left of the "black dragon panel" explore in cooler temps/earlier in the day, midday can be very hot. the little drive south reveals two interesting side canyons just north of noisy I-70 arch cyn & pictograph fork two very easy fun hikes/walks these are interesting as well. please please take care or these places, they are becomeing very popular. graffitti/scratching your name in the sandstone, trash, messy fire pits all impact the fragile desert which struggles to survive as man encroches more and more into the hallowed chambers...desertdog!!!!!

by: desertdog [Apr 18, 2012]