Petroglyphs of Parowan Gap Utah

From Las Vegas we headed to Parowan Utah to meet up with our RV friends from Texas. We were so happy to be traveling again with Sandee and Mack! Our very first expedition was to see The Petroglyphs of Parowan Gap Utah.

It has been about 3 years since Steve and I visited Utah. Our first trip there was to explore Arches National Park in Moab. It was jaw droppingly beautiful! The color of the rocks was this gorgeous rosy red, But what really blew us away were the many portals to the sky.

We knew then that we wanted to see much more of Utah. And 2024 was the year to do just that.

There is so much natural beauty in Utah that the four of us were constantly saying “OH WOW!!!” as we headed toward the petroglyphs. Utah was even more breathtaking than I remembered.

Petroglyphs of Parowan Gap Utah

As Sandee, Mack, Steve and I strolled toward the petroglyphs we were drawn to the musical tones of a man playing a wind instrument. He told us that he hand carves these wooden masterpieces that are kind of a cross between a flute and kazoo. The sound that comes from it is so gorgeous. It’s etherial and quite spiritual. And we were told that when he plays, standing in the circle of the vortex, the music can be heard for miles.

We continued on to the petroglyphs while listening to wonderful music.

Origins

Eons ago, around 15 million years, a long narrow section of sedimentary rock sheared away from the earth’s crust along parallel fault lines. This chunk of rock became know as Red Hills. It slowly inched its way above the valley floor.

At the very same time, a stream was chiseling a path across the ridge. For millions of years this had reached a balance.

At some point however, the relentless rising of the ridge and the drying of the climate joined forces and the stream disappeared. This caused the valley to become an arid wind gap which led to constant erosion and shaped the gap into what we see today.

 Petroglyphs 

Petroglyphs are designs, symbols and drawings created by Native Americans many centuries ago. Traveling through the area they stopped and pecked designs onto smooth faces of the large boulders found on the east side of the gap. Over the years these boulders became covered with the chiseled figures.

Sadly, it is still unknown as to the meaning of these designs. Local Native Americans believe that they are an important part of their history and relate tales of their ancestors’ lives.

Can’t wait to see what else Utah has to offer!!!