Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site
Personal Notes
This page contains our personal notes on our visit to the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site in Wyoming.
Friday, August 29, 2008
9:58 a.m.
After leaving Hot Springs State Park, where we picked up the key that unlocks the gate to the site, we drove northwest from Thermopolis along Highway 120. See the directions on the Overview page for the details.
After entering the gate (and locking it behind you) you'll proceed down a short graded ramp into a large parking area. There are a pair of vault toilets, a picnic table, and waste can, but no drinking water. The petroglyph panels can be found by following the signed trail near where the road enters the parking area. The cliff face is actually below the road where it came down the ramp.
In general, the rock art can be found along the obvious cliff base, along maybe a 300 yard stretch. There is a worn footpath along the base of the cliff that gradually climbs toward the west. The petroglyphs gradually peter out well before the fence line that you'll see. See our Legend Rock Rock Art page for a description and photos of the petroglyphs found at this location. From there you can make your way down the slope to the dirt road below.
However, before heading back, walk a bit farther along the road, toward the west, and you'll be rewarded by an interesting view of a terraced area where two streams have a confluence. The terraces are reminiscent of those found in a hot springs area, so perhaps that is the case. We didn't get close enough to test the waters.
When we first pulled into the parking area there was one other couple there, but they were preparing to leave. So we had the entire site to ourselves. We could walk along at our own pace, and didn't feel pressured to move on so that others could get their chance to take a look at some of the more interesting pieces.
While we were viewing the rock art we heard some strange sounds coming from the nearby Cottonwood Creek. It sounded like gas escaping through a vent, or from some outlet under water. On our way out we investigated a bit, but didn't want to cross the marshy area surrounding the sound. With the gas wells nearby at Hamilton Dome we suspect that what we heard was indeed a natural gas or steam vent.
11:27 a.m.
We finished viewing the unusual Dinwoody and Interior Linear Style petroglyphs at Legend Rock. From there we headed back through the gate, locking it behind us, and dropping the key into a metal box placed there by the State. We also dropped in a small donation to help keep up the site. If you enjoy the site, do the same. These types of locations are generally under funded.
From Legend Rock we headed back to Highway 120 and on to the Gooseberry Badlands Overlook.
