Belfast Petroglyphs (Lassen County, California)

 

Finding good hikes or areas to explore during winter in and around the Sierra Nevada can be challenging. I generally try to find areas on the eastern side of the range, which lies in the rain shadow and gets much less precipitation. Reviewing possible adventures in the area, I stumbled across mention of a small petroglyph site east of Susanville, CA.

Taking some back country roads, I arrived at the Belfast Petroglyph site about 10:00 AM. Being out in the middle of nowhere, the trailhead consists of a sign, two picnic tables, at the far end of a gravel pull off of the muddy gravel road. From the trailhead, a muddy trail heads toward a medium sized canyon carved by Willow Creek. We had several hours of drizzle early in the week and it has turned the surface into the kind of clingy mud that builds up on the bottom of one's feet with each step until finally it must be scrapped off on any available rock in order to maintain balance.

As I approach the canyon, a second less worn trail leads off to the left and up a large pile of volcanic rocks. From a distance, I can see a few petroglyphs on some of the rocks and decide to head that way.

While not densely populated, the rock art specimens are very distinct and easy to spot. Judging by the renewed build-up of desert varnish over the patterns, I suspect these are not millennia old, but probably centuries. Climbing to the top of the hill/pile, I note dozens of football-sized rocks piled in a circular wall-like structure with an entrance on the south side. I'm forced to wonder if this was the foundation of an ancient dwelling.

Returning to the main trail, I find numerous other examples of rock art on the various surfaces. The rock here appears to be a different type and has allowed several of the petroglyphs to be carved much deeper than the ones spotted earlier.

A begin hiking down the trail towards the creek, but the combination of frost and slippery mud makes it a bit dangerous. Also, I notice several dens (probably Coyote) in holes between the rocks alongside the trail. Paw prints and well-worn mud at the entrances indicates they are currently in use. Combining the factors, I decide to cut my losses and head back to the jeep. While not a large site, it was very unique and living here with the magnificent overlook of this canyon must have been something for those ancient artists.