Route Editor
Route Scout
Lots of Petroglyphs by slegal With all of the great petroglyphs photos that have been posted over the years on HAZ, it surprised me that no one has posted any photos of this little gem. It certainly can't be a secret spot if I found it, because I live in California. Of all things, Pink Jeep Tours got me there. Rarick Canyon is located east of I-17 off of NF-618. After a couple of dirt roads you're above the canyon. Our trek took up down a narrow and steep trail that quickly descended into the canyon. There is a much easier way down. There are no petroglyphs on the easy route. There are petroglyphs on this steep descent. However, the petroglyphs are not a good indication of what awaits down in the canyon. In the canyon there are walls covered with petroglyphs. There is only one place that I've been that had a higher density of petroglyphs than this - Grapevine Canyon in Nevada. The petroglyphs are impressive. There are herds of elk with full racks of antlers. There are lots of great anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and abstract petroglyphs. After you reach the canyon floor you'll head north along the wash. Most of the petroglyphs are located along the east wall of the canyon. After passing the last of the petroglyphs there is a trail on the left that will take you out of the canyon and to your car. The trail is not very long or strenuous. We went on the hike in July, which is manageable given the short distance. However, you will want to start very early if you go during the summer months. Also, remember that you are in a wash, so don't go if there are thunderstorms nearby. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Rarick Canyon
Rarick Canyon Loop
A section of Rarick Canyon is well known for it's nice red rock petroglyphs...but it's mainly treated as a drive-in treasure hunt. Given the many ancient archaeological sites in the area (e.g. V-Bar-V, Montezuma Castle, Sacred Mountain) I thought it'd be worth walking around a bit.
I started by heading up a bump (close to I-17) and there were several rooms on top but just a single pottery sherd - probably a fort/lookout. I headed east to Rarick Canyon hitting it about 2mi below the petroglyph area. There's a lot of nice red rock but it's pretty overgrown and I didn't see any glyphs along the way. In some places the rock hopping (and water avoidance) was fun, in others it was choked and slow.
I was lucky that there were no other visitors at the glyph area and that I walked right to the nice panel I had missed on my previous visit. As mentioned in some of the other logs it's unusual in that the rock is collapsing (one big rock could go any day) and there are glyphs on some of the fallen rocks.
I did a little scouting further up the canyon (with no useful result) and stopped at the impressive bear/cat glyph (you decide) on the way back.
Thunder sleet soaked me and got my boots muddy but it felt good with summer coming.
I started by heading up a bump (close to I-17) and there were several rooms on top but just a single pottery sherd - probably a fort/lookout. I headed east to Rarick Canyon hitting it about 2mi below the petroglyph area. There's a lot of nice red rock but it's pretty overgrown and I didn't see any glyphs along the way. In some places the rock hopping (and water avoidance) was fun, in others it was choked and slow.
I was lucky that there were no other visitors at the glyph area and that I walked right to the nice panel I had missed on my previous visit. As mentioned in some of the other logs it's unusual in that the rock is collapsing (one big rock could go any day) and there are glyphs on some of the fallen rocks.
I did a little scouting further up the canyon (with no useful result) and stopped at the impressive bear/cat glyph (you decide) on the way back.
Thunder sleet soaked me and got my boots muddy but it felt good with summer coming.
2016-04-30 Hansenaz
Rarick Canyon
Previous triplogs here call it both Rarick Canyon and Red Tank Draw Canyon. The location is close to the V-Bar-V petroglyph park and the Sacred Mountain habitation site so it makes sense that ancient people left their mark here too.
I parked near the edge and then just wandered around in the canyon looking mainly at the red cliff bands on both sides. There was plenty to see...and I didn't even find the main panel shown in most of the other posted photosets.
The description mentions that Pink Jeep brings tours here and I'd guess from the four tourists I saw that Sedona concierges are recommending the location too. Fair enough...though I did see some signs that modern folks are adding their own marks to the canyon. That's not cool.
I parked near the edge and then just wandered around in the canyon looking mainly at the red cliff bands on both sides. There was plenty to see...and I didn't even find the main panel shown in most of the other posted photosets.
The description mentions that Pink Jeep brings tours here and I'd guess from the four tourists I saw that Sedona concierges are recommending the location too. Fair enough...though I did see some signs that modern folks are adding their own marks to the canyon. That's not cool.
2015-04-18 Hansenaz
