The mountains roar and burn, shaking. Rock runs like water, glowing like fire, splashing over the eroded hills. Layer upon layer it builds. Then time forgets the place. As the lava cools stresses build up; centuries of searing sun and frost help water's patient prying fingers find the weak curving planes and separate them. Occasional floods deepen the low places, digging the shattered boulders and flinging them into the valley. A narrow canyon is left. Gradual geology brings a new, dry climate. Slow microorganisms and other factors build a dark varnish on the exposed elegantly curved basalt faces. When people show up, the inspiration is obvious. A sharp rock enables imagination. Over roughly 2400 years, Renegade Canyon became a gallery. Elsewhere, newcomers used them for target practice but the figures here are protected by the U.S. Navy. There is much learned discussion about what the figures mean. Some are obvious: bighorn sheep, spear-throwers and spears. Some are incomprehensible. Some are very rare: a pregnant sheep, a speared bighorn. The canyon is silent now. No vulcanism, no repeated crack of stone against wall nor steady scraping. Only the designs are left; rock chips, blood and sweat have washed away. No footprints, no bighorns, but the carvings still sing of their makers. Their touch extends through millenia, warming the smooth basalt. Enter Renegade Canyon The image above shows the Coso Mountains from a vantage point south of Ridgecrest, looking north across the town. The highest mountains in the center are the volcanoes, and Renegade Canyon cuts through the lower area to the left of them.

Pavilion of Nature and History Human Touch Museum The Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest offers more information on petroglyphs, and hosts tours to Renegade Canyon.

petglyph.htm 1999 February 12