Easy, 0.1 mi out and back
20 ft elevation gain
Hiked 9/19/23
More of a pulloff than an actual hike, Newspaper Rock is a large (~200 square ft) slab of sandstone which contains some of the most accessible and best preserved petroglyphs in the Southwest. Petroglyphs here range in age from the BC times until 1300 AD as well as ‘modern’ engravings from Europeans.
The upper area of the main portion of Newspaper Rock, which in addition to many bear paw prints (identifiable by their *five digits plus non-retractible claw) appear to focus on more symbols than in the lower portion. Just above the wagon wheel near center is what looks like a large bear with horns or a devil-man of some sort.
Sign Post located at Newspaper Rock, reads:
Newspaper Rock Archaeological Site
Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records approximately 2,000 years of early human activity. Prehistoric peoples, probably from the Archaic, Basketmaker, Fremont and Pueblo cultures, etched on the rock from B.C. time to A.D. 1300. In historic times, Ute and Navajo people, as well as European Americans made their contributions.
In interpreting the figures on the rock, scholars are undecided as to their meaning or have yet to decipher them. In Navajo, the rock is called “Tse’ Hane’” (Rock that tells a story).
Unfortunately we do not know if the figures represent storytelling, doodling, hunting magic, clan symbols, ancient graffiti or something else. Without a true understanding of the petroglyphs, much is left for individual interpretation.
Newspaper Rock is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Nearby to Newspaper Rock was this tall set of pillars on the top of a butte. Snowfall may be seen accumulating on the distant butte.
Edit- updated one description stating bears had sox digits, when it only appears that way due to a non-retractable claw.
Thank you for posting this!
“many bear paw prints (identifiable by their six digits)”, bears have the usual 5 digits, but the footprints can look like six: https://iere.org/do-bears-have-6-toes/
Oh wow, always thought that claw was a sixth one. I knew about pandas having the pseudo-thumb that evolved from their wrist but could never figure out how they didn’t have seven if other bears already had six. I guess that’s how haha. Thanks for the info!