In another hour one comes across a somewhat hidden north-west facing basalt face with paintings of 4 human forms, arms upraised and larger than life-size. Two are done in red, two are done half red, half-black, divided from the crotch to one side of the neck. The natives call these figures "Monos".
Shortly beyond the Monos the cattle trail drops into the Arroyo. The well-built stone switchbacks are fairly easy to see. An hour or two later the Arroyo divides. The right fork contains many small caves with interesting paintings in the half mile we explored. We saw 3 deer's hooves hung in the branch of a tree as a sort of offering to nature. Antlers and a deer body were also found. Returning to the left fork one continues on, repeatedly crossing back and forth across the 200 yard wide Arroyo to look for more petroglyphs. No significant paintings were found. Probably somewhere near this point the first day camp should be made.

The next day one comes to a quarter-mile long narrows where the Arroyo is only 30 yards wide or less. There is a small very dirty spring for cattle at this point and several small pools. These might be used for an emergency supply of water if one was daring and prudent. Several paintings are found in the narrows including another cross, There is supposed to be a tinaja up the left wall of the Arroyo at this point where water has been found after a rain but I doubt if one can depend on finding water. After leaving the narrows the Arroyo divides again. The right fork contains a cave with 8 Monos, several with head dresses. This point was as far as we could go in two days this May. Not far beyond, at another fork in the Arroyo, lies the Canada del Corralito with the Cave of the Snakes. We couldn't reach it on a hot 3 day weekend. The Arroyo is essentially trailless except for cattle tracks, there's quite a bit of exploring to do and perhaps one-fourth of the walking is done on medium size rocks. I feel that the trip is a minimum 3-1/2 to 4 day backpack. Oh well, perhaps the third time will be successful!


Petropryphs


FAVORITE QUOTE
THIS from Joe E. Lewis:
"Show me a man with both feet
on the ground and I'll show you a man
who can't get his pants on."
 
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