Rochester Rock Art Panel (Emery County, Utah)

My final stop along this journey takes me about an hour out of the way to the Rochester Rock Art Panel. I only learned of this panel of petroglyphs a few months ago, but reading of how extensive the panel is, I felt I need to visit the next time I was planning to be anywhere nearby. Leaving the highway, it's a short drive down a gravel road to a gravel parking area. Signs indicate this is the right place.

Being in the absolute middle of nowhere, I'm surprised to see another visitor returning to the car as I start down the trail. He tells me how awe-inspiring the panel is before he heads out. The trail leads part of the way down into a dry river canyon and then climbs back up a tall cliff-side above the canyon. As I turn the corner, I make my way along narrow path with a steep drop-off, but finally see the panel.

This is one of the most decorated petroglyph panels I have ever seen. There are hundreds of figures on this panel and many of them are quite detailed. From humanoid figures to a large rainbow-like image, this panel truly is amazing. It was a long drive to get here, but I feel it was well worth it.