Change of focus: our main objective for the day is to explore rock art in ☞ Horseshoe Canyon – different than other sites in the Southwest as it contains mostly pictographs rather than petroglyphs. It is 7-mile hike 240 m down to the canyon floor with yellow and red rocks around, hot and desert-like (there was same water and green vegetation in the creek). The day started by quick drive on Hwy 24 past Hanksville followed by slow ride east on unpaved road to the trailhead. The road was in good condition, but the area had good remote feel. We started descending slowly into the canyon on trail which runs in part on old jeep road. There were a few signs of past human activity (water tank and remains of old rancho). As well as some dinosaur prints. Just when we started walking towards first rock art site, we met volunteer ranger on patrol. He showed us around and answered many questions – we enjoyed our private tour. We saw only one group of school children in the canyon, nobody else the whole day. We spent entire afternoon hiking, checking out the galleries with the ranger and then on our own. The Great Gallery is the most spectacular, with life-size and larger figures. Rock paintings are from different times, 2000 BC to 500 AD, but some artifacts found around were from 11000 years ago. On the way back, we stopped at Alcove Gallery. Around 7 pm we started heading north on Lower San Rafael Rd for 9 miles and then 5 miles east on dirt road to amazing wild campsite on high rim of Green River Labyrinth Canyon (found by Piotr studying maps and satellite images before the trip). Beautiful sunset, no wind, no people anywhere. Perfect end to a beautiful day. And then relaxing breakfast before heading north on Lower San Rafael Rd to Green River on the way to Canyonlands NP.
