White Mountain Petroglyphs - Level 2
This is the access route to the White Mountain Petroglyphs, a BLM-managed rock art site in the Red Desert north of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The route leaves the county road and runs west across open sagebrush country to the site parking area below the White Mountain cliffs.
The road is the only way to reach the site by vehicle. From the parking area, visitors continue on foot through the pedestrian gate to the petroglyph panels. Plan to be self-sufficient, since the area is remote and out of cell range.
Trail Summary
- LocationRock Springs, Wyoming
- Distance2.9 miles
- DifficultyLevel 2
- Elevation6,573 ft to 6,916 ft with a 343 ft change
- Travel Time9 minutes
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
This trail is rated Level 2, Easy, which is typically suitable for high clearance 2WD. Stock equipment is sufficient, but the surface will likely test tire traction and ground clearance. Expect dirt and rocky road with dips, ruts or rocks under about 9 inches, and possibly shallow water or small ledges under about 12 inches. The road is unmaintained after rain or snow and is one to two vehicles wide. There are no obstacles on this route. Treat it as an easy route that gets slick and rutted when wet.
Terrain
The access road is native dirt and gravel that crosses open high desert with sagebrush and sparse vegetation. It is rougher than the bladed county road that leads to it. The route climbs gently toward the base of White Mountain, whose pale sandstone cliffs hold the rock art. Surfaces soften quickly after rain or snowmelt, and the county roads in this part of Sweetwater County are often impassable when wet.
History
The petroglyphs the road leads to are carved into sandstone of the Eocene Bridger and upper Wasatch formations. Sources date the carving to between roughly 200 and 1,000 years ago, though some archaeologists suggest older panels. The figures include bison and elk hunts, geometric shapes and footprints. Horses and a figure holding a sword show contact with Europeans. The site is held sacred by members of the Shoshone, Arapaho and Ute tribes, and some believe it was a birthing place for Plains and Great Basin peoples. It is listed as a Wyoming Heritage Site.
Highlights
The site is fee-free and averages about 12,000 visitors a year. A soft sandstone pillar in front of the main cliff has deep handprints gouged into its sides, which archaeologists have not fully explained. Boar's Tusk, a volcanic neck, can be seen on the horizon several miles to the northeast. White Mountain also belongs to the old Lake Gosiute deposits, so fossil shells can sometimes be found near its base. Bring water, a spare tire and extra fuel. Respect the rock art and do not touch or make rubbings of the panels.
Trail GPS File
Map
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