Pictograph Fork Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Run along the ridge, taking in the vistas that stretch from horizon to horizon, and then drop into the narrow canyon and continue the run in the shadows of towering cliffs. There are many pictographs and petroglyphs to be found by the curious.

On this run you'll quickly learn why this part of Canyonlands is called The Maze. Warning: This area has been called one of the most dangerous and remote parts of the continental United States. Access this far into the Maze is only possible with a 4x4 with very high clearance. You'll be rock crawling to get to the Chimney Rock trailhead. Bring extra water, extra gas, extra tires, and tools to fix whatever may break on your vehicle. Drive time is 8-12 hours. Leave Chimney Rock and head North towards Pete's Mesa. There is a faint trail and cairns to follow.

After 2.5 miles or so you'll enter a finger of the South Fork. Follow that fork East, Northeast. The canyon is large and impressive, and full of alcoves, fingers, and forks. Run around 1 mile, until you come to the first large confluence. This is Pictograph fork. At this confluence there is a large marsh and animals can sometimes be observed near the waters. Head South into Pictograph fork. At this point, if you have a permit for camping and are making this an overnighter, there are some great areas to camp just as you are entering Pictograph Fork.

Continue running for around 1 mile and you'll come to the Harvest Scene on the West wall of the canyon. This panel is called the Harvest scene because one of the people seems to be holding stalks of grain. Another is feeding animals. On this same wall you'll find several other pictographs and petroglyphs. In fact, in several places along the canyon we found drawings, convincing us that if you spend the time and look hard enough, you'll find countless pictographs.

The run continues South among beautiful rock formations. From the harvest scene, at around 1.5 to 2 miles the canyon will fork. Take the South East branch. This will lead you into a narrowing canyon from which you'll exit out a small side finger. Climbing back to the ridge you'll see Chimney rock a half mile away. This run can be done in any direction. Running in the canyon has ample shade to escape the heat and sun. Once on the ridges, you have no place to hide. We left early in the morning and went along the ridge before the day heated up.

During the afternoon we were down in the canyon and able to relax in the shade. This is a great run. It is not easy, nor short, but it is definitely worth it. The impressive environment is worth the run alone. The pictographs and petroglyphs are just an added bonus! The drawings have no set age. Archaeologists date them anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 years old. They assume these drawings predate the Anasazi that dwelt in this region.