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Skull mesa petroglyphs?

Posted: Feb 17 2026 9:16 am
by overthehillsfaraway
I went solo back in Dec 2023, and was able to locate the petros in the middle of the mesa on the way out to the fort/ruins. I'm going back very soon now. I believe there's others up there, can anyone give any hints which part of the mesa to look? I only found 1 spot in the middle of the mesa, so maybe there are others in the middle too?
I also visited chalk canyon to the southwest in May 2024 on a separate trip, this time I'm planning to link them and scramble down from the fort to connect with trail #4 and take that down to the chalk canyon ruins. I know of 1 spot of a couple large panels down below the chalk canyon ruins, and was told there are some in the southwest corner. Are there others in the area than that which anyone would feel comfortable giving hints?
I remember I took the Metate trail in, and I did see a metate but I don't recall seeing any petros on that trail though I think there are some?

Re: Skull mesa petroglyphs?

Posted: Feb 17 2026 3:46 pm
by mazatzal
@overthehillsfaraway
I think I remember a spiral on the way up to the mesa - shortly after the swing gate.

Re: Skull mesa petroglyphs?

Posted: Feb 17 2026 4:29 pm
by LosDosSloFolks
@overthehillsfaraway
The XXX rated "happy couple" is the hard one to find on top and I haven't found it yet...only photos. :-(
As @mazatzal stated, there is a very nice spiral right on trail 248 just north of the self closing gate on 247. Regarding Chalk Canyon, there are many panels and metates at creek level below the ruins. Most people are aware of these. On top of Chalk Canyon there are dozens of fine single examples around the s/w corner of the mesa well south of the ruins themselves. [ photo ] You just need to do a methodical "wander" and examine any rock on the ground...there are some nice examples of deer and anthropomorphic figures.
Closer to Spur Cross, the "archer" hunting scene is on a large boulder at the intersection of Cottonwood Wash and FR48. [ photo ] Easy to miss which is why it has not yet been defaced like the Schoonover Rock which the ranger gives tours to (Also on Cottonwood Wash). Black Mesa Creek drainage has a few also. [ photo ]

Re: Skull mesa petroglyphs?

Posted: Feb 17 2026 9:56 pm
by overthehillsfaraway
@LosDosSloFolks
Thanks!! So much to work with here. I do recall rumors of an x rated one on the mesa. The only x rated I've seen so far are 2 supposed panels at South Mountain (takes some imagination), and the one at Rarick Canyon but that's animals so not sure it counts. Ha
I read through a lot of triplogs, I saw one where someone visited a different ruin somewhere up on the mesa. I looked on satellite a little bit, but the resolution wasn't good enough to ever find anything

Re: Skull mesa petroglyphs?

Posted: Feb 17 2026 10:00 pm
by LosDosSloFolks
@overthehillsfaraway
There are ruins everywhere. Not just this area...the whole southwest. :-)