Willow Wash Petroglyphs, Mojave National Preserve
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Willow Wash Petroglyphs
Small group of petroglyphs on a low cliff of gray-brown basalt, overlooking a dry streambed, a tributary of Willow Wash, at the point where it narrows to pass through the volcanic rocks - along an ancient travel route across the Mojave Desert
Length: 0.2 miles
Elevation change: Level
Difficulty: Easy
Type: One-way
Usage: Low
Season: All year
Trailhead: Verge along Kelbaker Road
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Elevation change: Level
Difficulty: Easy
Type: One-way
Usage: Low
Season: All year
Trailhead: Verge along Kelbaker Road
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Major rock art sites in the Mojave Desert of California include the Black Mountain District north of Barstow and the Coso District near China Lake. Within the National Preserve, locations are smaller and more dispersed; two easily-reached places are at Hole-in-the-Wall along Black Canyon Road, and at Willow Wash on Kelbaker Road. At this latter location are around a dozen petroglyphs, along a low, north-facing cliff of gray-brown basalt, overlooking a minor tributary drainage, just as it meets the larger wash.
For most of its length, Willow Wash crosses flat desert, its usually dry streambed very wide, but at this point it becomes briefly narrow, enclosed within a short canyon through the volcanic rocks; a natural travel route, as shown by the presence of the rock art, which was made many centuries ago.
Map of Mojave National Preserve.
The rock art site is not marked, though easily-reached, reached by a walk of 0.2 miles, starting along Kelbaker Road - 21 miles northwest of Kelso and 13.5 miles east of I-15, exit 246. The narrow verge provides a parking place. This location is just north of the distinctive line of low basalt cliffs, on the east side of the road, and of a higher peak to the west, Seventeenmile Point, also dark in color, and formed of limestone-dolomite breccia.
From the road, the first petroglyphs are found after an eastwards walk of a hundred feet or so; towards the top of the cliffs; requiring just a little scramble up from the tributary wash. Beyond are another three groupings in quick succession, and all can be seen in just ten minutes. Most of the designs are geometric shapes, including crosses, circles and net-like objects. Away from this site, other places along the short canyon of Willow Wash also have rock art, including a group on boulders on the west side of the wash, 2,000 feet south.
For most of its length, Willow Wash crosses flat desert, its usually dry streambed very wide, but at this point it becomes briefly narrow, enclosed within a short canyon through the volcanic rocks; a natural travel route, as shown by the presence of the rock art, which was made many centuries ago.
Location
Map of Mojave National Preserve.
Access
The rock art site is not marked, though easily-reached, reached by a walk of 0.2 miles, starting along Kelbaker Road - 21 miles northwest of Kelso and 13.5 miles east of I-15, exit 246. The narrow verge provides a parking place. This location is just north of the distinctive line of low basalt cliffs, on the east side of the road, and of a higher peak to the west, Seventeenmile Point, also dark in color, and formed of limestone-dolomite breccia.
The Petroglyphs
From the road, the first petroglyphs are found after an eastwards walk of a hundred feet or so; towards the top of the cliffs; requiring just a little scramble up from the tributary wash. Beyond are another three groupings in quick succession, and all can be seen in just ten minutes. Most of the designs are geometric shapes, including crosses, circles and net-like objects. Away from this site, other places along the short canyon of Willow Wash also have rock art, including a group on boulders on the west side of the wash, 2,000 feet south.
Willow Wash Petroglyphs - Similar Hikes
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