Sky Rock (Inyo County, California)

The area known as Chalk Bluff above the Owens River is well-visited by rock climbers looking for interesting boulders to apply their skills to, but in addition to these modern visitors, some ancient Native American artists also made use of these boulders to record their stories for the millennia. 

The first panel is one of the most magnificent and unique in all of my explorations. I've spent a few months trying to learn the location of these cultural treasures. Those in the know go to exceptional lengths to keep the exact locations secret. It's an unfortunate truth, but there are far to many vandals out there that care nothing for the value these panels add to the human story. That said, it made finding these rock art panels was a combination of internet research and reaching out to several friends. Eventually, I did get a pretty good idea of the locations, but I will keep those to myself (please don't ask).

My first step to looking for the petroglyph panels was to climb up the bluff itself. The numerous boulders in the field below give testament to how crumbly the rocks making up the bluff are, but I carefully made my way up the steep 200-ish foot incline to reach the top. From there, I had to do a significant amount of scrambling, but I eventually found Sky Rock.

This panel is approximately ten feet wide and six feet tall, but the most unusual thing about it is that it faces upward towards the skies above. If not completely unique among rock art, it is certainly a very rare thing. I'm forced to wonder intent of the ancient artist. Was he telling a story or making a request of his gods? Was he telling a story of the skies? I doubt we'll ever know the true intent, but it's of little matter. The legacy of his great work remains long after he has joined his ancestors in the great beyond. It is truly awe-inspiring. I scramble around looking for a better shot, but the treacherousness of the boulders and my lack of climbing skill limit my options. I settle for the shots I've taken and head back down to look for my next panel.