We didn't realize it when we made the reservations for the park, but after we arrived we learned there are several petroglyphs located here. Collecting photos of the rock art is one of our hobbies, so before we left we made time to hike the most target rich trails.
The glyphs here are the type that are often called entoptic. These are seemingly random "doodles", unrelated images that are inspired by visions, or meditations, of the person who was responsible for the petroglyph. They are thought to be related in many cases to the coming of age tradition of a "vision quest". In many tribes an individual set out alone for a period of time to survive on their own and meditate on their place in the tribe and family and their future. Each culture approached this differently, but often they spent much of their time in areas where water was available, both because this was a necessity for survival, and because the presence of water evoked a connection to higher powers.
Here is a small sampling of what the area has to offer. We didn't thoroughly explore the area due to time restraints and crowded trail. Park rules also require staying behind the railings, so it's difficult to photograph some of the smaller glyphs. I suggest clicking on each photo and opening it up individually to see the detail. Or, open the album link (which has more photos) at the bottom of the page and view the photos in a larger format that way.
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