Rochester Art Panel - San Rafael Swell
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Overview:
Rating: Easy Walking
Length: < 1 hour.
Season: Any
Hype:
Rochester Art Panel may be the premier rock art panel in the San Rafael Swell. A short approach, scenic location, and plethora of art makes this a great destination for all.Trailhead:
Note: The trailhead should be reachable by all vehicles under most conditions.To reach the trailhead, you need to get to the Moore area.
From I-70, take exit 91 towards Price on U-10 for 16 miles.
From Price, head south on U-10 through Huntington and Castledale toward Emery.
From either direction, between mile posts 16 and 17 on U-10, turn east toward Moore. After about 0.5 miles, turn right onto a signed road to Rochester Art Panel. This road is a dirt road, but is in good shape and easily passable. Follow the main road to it's end at the trailhead. (A little over 4 miles.)
Description:
From the large trailhead, there is a very easy to find trail on the
east side. Follow this trail to it's end overlooking Muddy Creek
from a bench above the river. The trail follows the cliff band south.
Near it's end, you may notice a split. If so, go right, up to the bench,
not down to Muddy Creek. The hiking is just over a 1/2 mile ROUND TRIP,
and will likely take 10-15 minutes each way.
The panel is amazing, and fun to look at. Don't touch or put chalk on the panels, as it destroys them.
Before heading back, be sure to take in the view up and down Muddy Creek. It is a great location, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing color. There are also some more "modern" petroglyphs you may spot down along the Muddy Creek from this viewpoint.
Bonus:
Want to see more petroglyphs after visiting Rochester Art Panel? There is another interesting panel in the area. To visit it, drive to Moore, and follow the Moore Cutoff Road (main dirt road heading east) out of Moore for about 3.4 miles to an obvious pullout on the north side of the road. There are a few panels here as well, all visible from the pullout.
Photos:
