Stop number two on my day trip to the Verde Valley to explore ancient Native American culture. I'll have to admit this one was a disappointment...

I dropped into the canyon near the remains of the gauging station. Although you're only a couple of miles from I-17, this feels as isolated as one could possibly be in the Southwest. From here I headed north, boulder-hopping through the canyon. I found one rock wall that had zoomorphic shapes but I couldn't get close due to the stagnant pool of water below. I continued on to a shallow red rock area where the canyon starts to turn east. Someone has spent time here positioning rocks in a large circle like you see around the vortices in Sedona.

Frustrated that I didn't see much I headed out of the canyon and backtracked. Turns out I dropped in to the canyon too far north. About 100 yards south of the gauging station is a steep trail that leads to another collection of glyphs. There's a trail register at the canyon bottom and the glyphs are to the immediate right. Truthfully, I think Hieroglyphic Canyon is the Supes has way better rock art. The only interesting glyph I found was one that I'll call "Doggy Style." Thankfully, I was about to see better petroglyphs on the next leg of my trip.

Up next: V Bar V Heritage Site.