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Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94 - 8 members in 24 triplogs have rated this an average 2.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2  Next
24 triplogs
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Feb 21 2025
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 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
A Day in the Verde Valley, AZ 
A Day in the Verde Valley, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2025
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking3.18 Miles 308 AEG
Hiking3.18 Miles
308 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Montezuma Well
Montezuma Castle
Fort Verde State Historical Park
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Ladyeagle
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Deb and I took the day to visit some areas in AZ that we had not been to before.

Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
1 mile, 68'AEG
This ones only open Friday - Sunday. After checking in at the visitors center, we made three short hike to the panel. reportedly there are 1032 unique glyphs visible, with more buried. The docent at the wall was providing some interesting info and insights into the glyphs. The most interesting part was the calendar that would show the equinox of the four seasons that would determine planting and harvesting schedules.


Montezuma Well
.8 miles, 130' AEG
This was much cooler than I expected. A couple of ruins built into the sides of the well above and one down at water level. Water is from springs and 10% of the water is turned over daily. Water escapes through the travertine to Wet Beaver Creek. It was channeled for irrigating crops.

We hit the Pit House on the way out. Not much to see here if you have seen other pit houses.


Montezuma Castle
.62 miles, 100' AEG
I'd done this one 25 years ago. Worth a stop if you are in the area. This was the busiest of all our stops on the day.


Fort Verde State Park
I'd been here once briefly when Denny and I were hiking the General Crook Trail. Spent some time going through the museum and then the buildings across the street. Had the place to ourselves.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Montezuma Well 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Wet Beaver Creek Medium flow Medium flow
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Jan 04 2025
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2025
John10s • Triplogs 346
Hiking1.01 Miles 90 AEG
Hiking1.01 Miles      35 Mns   1.84 mph
90 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
TboneKathy
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This was our fourth of seven stops in the Camp Verde area to various native sites, and though I'm usually less interested in these staffed government-run sites with fences and barriers, this was a cool one with the archeoastronomy elements. After a quick stop at the visitor center and a look at the remnants of the chimney from the V-Bar-B ranch house, we took the short hike to the petroglyph site.

There was a volunteer working who pointed out specific areas of the panel with a laser pointer. The site has strategically-placed petroglyphs that are illuminated at key times of the year by sunlight passing between two boulders lodged in the canyon wall, and it's believed that this helped marked time for the Sinaguans' planting seasons. The panels were in full shadow when we were there, and one of the two boulders dislodged and fell six years ago, but they had a series of photos laid out showing the ancient calendar at work with the sunlight shining on various dates throughout the seasons.

The volunteer shared a lot of interesting facts about Hopi interpretations of the symbols and possible meanings behind the placement of petroglyphs relative to cracks in the rock, and we learned about the sabretooth cat petroglyph we'd seen earlier in Rarick Canyon. He also pointed out a petroglyph that may be an ancient depiction of the Verde River. Another short but interesting stop.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Informational/Interpretive Sign
 
Sep 22 2024
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 Guides 17
 Routes 297
 Photos 1,808
 Triplogs 276

female
 Joined Mar 11 2002
 Gilbert, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 22 2024
Vashti • Triplogs 276
Hiking1.00 Miles 49 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
49 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Enjoyed listening to the very knowledgeable docent talk about the Petroglyph panels. Today is the equinox, so there was a big event about the discovery of the solar calendar on one of the panels.

Parking is $5 at the machine in the parking lot, which is super convenient. A nice stop on the way back into Phoenix!

I was also excited to catch a glimpse of a bunch of either coatimundis or ringtail cats. They were a bit too far away (and moving fast!) to see clearly, but it was a treat. :)
_____________________
:D
 
May 20 2024
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 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar May 20 2024
cactuscat • Triplogs 486
Hiking1.00 Miles 49 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
49 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice cool, cloudy day for a visit to the Crane Petroglyph site (not called V-Bar-V anymore). I took the back way from Rimrock via FS119 - smooth dirt road, nice drive.
Capped off by a quick visit to the Red Rock Ranger Station to purchase my America The Beautiful pass for the year.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bronzed Cowbird  Gila Woodpecker  Hooded Oriole  Phainopepla
_____________________
 
Oct 09 2023
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 09 2023
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking1.00 Miles 49 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
49 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Finally caught this site when they were open. Unique site. Ranger says expect a name change soon. The Hopi will decide the name.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Sep 17 2022
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 Routes 167
 Photos 973
 Triplogs 130

male
 Joined Mar 17 2021
 Phoenix, arizona
V Bar V Glyphs, AZ 
V Bar V Glyphs, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 17 2022
JackArizona • Triplogs 130
Hiking1.04 Miles 98 AEG
Hiking1.04 Miles      38 Mns   2.60 mph
98 ft AEG      14 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
 
Jun 18 2016
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 18 2016
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Hiking1.60 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles      29 Mns   3.31 mph
140 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Fascinating place. I was lucky enough to catch an interpreter at the site to explain the drawings.
_____________________
 
Oct 18 2014
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 Guides 31
 Routes 135
 Photos 2,699
 Triplogs 615

52 female
 Joined Apr 02 2007
 Scottsdale, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 18 2014
Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615
Hiking1.00 Miles 49 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
49 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baby4AZ
LilGuy4AZ
Caroline is the perfect age for petroglyphs - short little hike to see the wall.
Not too crowded. Gift shop has very good book selection. I picked up a book on Desert Holes and another on animal tracks/scat.
_____________________
 
Jun 08 2014
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 Guides 4
 Routes 205
 Photos 9,282
 Triplogs 526

72 male
 Joined Apr 06 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Sacred Mtn V-Bar-V & Wingfield Mesa Ruin, AZ 
Sacred Mtn V-Bar-V & Wingfield Mesa Ruin, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 08 2014
Hansenaz • Triplogs 526
Hiking3.00 Miles
Hiking3.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.00 mph
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sacred Mountain
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Partners none no partners
Decided to get out of the house and go to some "drive-by" sites I was interested in.

Started at Sacred Mountain: bushwacked around a bit hoping to find something unusual at this picked-over place. I did find a few largish sherds at the bottom of the hill but the attraction (such as it is) is the big hilltop ruin. Mainly collapsed - the one impressive wall looked like it might have been re-stacked.

Apparently the residents of Sacred Mountain made the nice petroglyphs at the nearby V-Bar-V site. This is a managed park and visitors are restricted to the main decorated cliff. The docent was quite knowledgeable and I was lucky enough to see the solar calendar in action.

Finally I wanted to find the Wingfield Mesa Ruin which I had read interesting things about (http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID ... leID=46766). The mesa is just a couple miles SE of Camp Verde. Unfortunately there is a Jeep/ATV road that goes to the mesa top and broken beer bottle pieces probably outnumber pottery sherds. Still it's a unique place with ca. 40 attached rooms arranged in a big square - makes an impressive satellite view. The central square is ~50 yds across.

Not a bad way to spend a hot day. Time and distance are estimates.
_____________________
 
May 26 2012
avatar

 Photos 98
 Triplogs 18

52 female
 Joined Jan 31 2012
 Peoria, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar May 26 2012
Codersgirl • Triplogs 18
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice quick trail for anyone!
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mascot
_____________________
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start".
  2 archives
Dec 16 2011
avatar

 Photos 106
 Triplogs 88

53 female
 Joined Sep 06 2010
 Tucson, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 16 2011
IHike • Triplogs 88
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jun 20 2011
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 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 20 2011
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour      1.00 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Stop three on my day trip to the Verde Valley to explore ancient Native American culture. This place is an awesome example of Sinaguan rock art. The forest service worker, who spoke in a smooth Sam Elliott voice, said there were over 1000 documented glyphs here. This includes lots of zoomorphic shapes like cranes, tortoises and bighorn sheep, each with their own story. The petroglyphs date back almost 1000 years and have been so well-preserved because this was private property up until 1994. Apparently, very few people knew of its existence before that. I'm glad the word is finally out.

Up next: Montezuma Well.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Mar 07 2011
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 2,750
 Triplogs 402

60 male
 Joined Nov 13 2005
 Cave Creek, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 07 2011
cabel • Triplogs 402
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      35 Mns   1.71 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Arizona Sycamore
_____________________
All who wander are not lost...just me.
 
Oct 12 2008
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 12 2008
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles   2 Hrs      0.50 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Lots and lots of coolness on this hike + the quick stop at Beaver Creek on the way back (where, unfortunately, a million other people and their screaming children decided to play just when we got there). The petroglyphs are too cool and the old ranch grounds are pretty neat, especially the persimmon and pomegranate trees. Unfortunately the persimmons weren't ripe yet and all the pomegranates had already been burst open by birds! :( Dogs had to stay in the cars for this one, but the weather was cool enough that it was no big deal. I can't believe how close to the freeway this is and how fast the hike is too! Definitely a lot of bang for your buck here.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Beaver Creek Rock Art Style  Inscriptions
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
Sep 28 2008
avatar

 Photos 3
 Triplogs 193

50 male
 Joined Jun 28 2006
 Avondale, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 28 2008
9avilaturtle • Triplogs 193
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      35 Mns   1.71 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Get hike with friend and sister in law to end the grand canyon trip 2008.
_____________________
 
Aug 15 2008
avatar

 Guides 12
 Photos 479
 Triplogs 247

62 male
 Joined Nov 27 2004
 Vancouver, WA
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 15 2008
Dano • Triplogs 247
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My dad and I have been all over Arizona, but neither of us had heard of this site, and we are glad I found it here on HikeArizona!

The hike is short, but the payoff is quite nice. There is a visitor's center where you must sign in, and there was a woman at the site explaining what she knew about the petroglyphs. The panels are impressive, well worth the time spent.

I think the site is only open Friday through Monday.
_____________________
 
Nov 02 2007
avatar

 Triplogs 66

73 male
 Joined Nov 05 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2007
mikedsmith • Triplogs 66
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
did it twice
_____________________
 
Nov 02 2007
avatar

 Triplogs 66

73 male
 Joined Nov 05 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2007
mikedsmith • Triplogs 66
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Mar 10 2007
avatar

 Triplogs 8

67 male
 Joined Nov 19 2005
 Prescott, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2007
0hurricanes • Triplogs 8
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   0.86 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Feb 10 2007
avatar

 Photos 3
 Triplogs 193

50 male
 Joined Jun 28 2006
 Avondale, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94Camp Verde, AZ
Crane Petroglyph Site / V - Bar - V Trail #94
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 10 2007
9avilaturtle • Triplogs 193
Hiking1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      30 Mns   2.00 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
:) Great petrogyphs!
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 1.47 mph
1, 2  Next

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.

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