McConkie Ranch Petroglyph Trail

Just about 15 minutes out of Vernal Utah is McConkie Ranch. They have hundreds of petroglyphs and pictographs on their property. Lucky for us, they have realized the historical significance and have opened up 2 amazing easy trails to explore these amazing sites to allow us to learn about the ancient history. This post will cover the Petroglyph Trail.

Quick Details:

Length: .08 Miles
Difficulty: DR3 some boulder scrambling but it was a lot easier than it looked.
Elevation Gain: 305 ft.
Restroom: Yes they have a few porta-pottys
Dogs? Yes, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.
Other Info: Fee Area, honor based $5.00 donation requested.
Also: Do not touch the rock art. The oils in your skin can cause irreparable damage.

To Get Here:

Take Main St to UT-121 W/500 N St and turn right (north). Go about 3.0 mi and turn right onto 3500 W St. Go 4.3 mi. and continue onto Dry Fork Settlement Rd. Continue for 2.1 mi. and turn right onto McConkie Rd.

The trail is just to the right of the check in shack. The Three Kings Trail is a little further down the road.

Dry Canyon is really pretty (DBP).  I need to come back to explore it more.

Flag on a rock (DBP).

Cool formations in the cliff walls (DBP).

The turn off to McConkie Ranch (DBP).

The Trail:

The trail head.

The registration booth. They ask that you sign in. This is also where you pay the donation, and can purchase other items based on the honor system. Unfortunately, they were out of trail guides. There are a lot of comments about the trails posted here as well.

 

Starting the trail.

The cliffs above. Seriously, the trail looks more intense than it is from here.

It has been designated a Utah Historic Site! They estimate the rock art to date back to somewhere between 1 and 1200 AD.

A little bit of tough at the beginning, but its not so bad.

Look up?

Oh! Wow! This is a great panel.

Looking out across the valley.

Once you reach the cliff face the trail is really easy from here.

Starting to see the petroglyphs.

The trail head had a sign to follow the ribbons, so it’s easy to remain on trail.

The high cliffs above.

These ones are really neat.

The trail along the cliff.

You can cut your hike short by following the sign left to the parking lot, however you will miss the best panels and it’s not much further so be sure to go right.

Looking out across the way.

The trail veers away from the cliffs for a minute.

The little canyon you cross through.

The rope is broken, but it’s not a precarious spot so not a problem.

And as soon as you reach the other side there are a lot more petroglyphs.

This one is really neat.

So is this one.

Itty bitty arch.

The trail under the cliff.

Couple smaller ones.

This part makes you wonder just how many ancient drawings have been lost to erosion.

Another cool panel.

This is probably my favorite panel on the trail. They call this one The Headhunter. The main figure does appear to be holding severed heads.

A little closer.

Another close up.

Different rock layers.

So many petroglyphs up here! It is incredible!

More rock falls.

Headless pictograph. I think the P29 is a reference marker, most panels had something similar.

The Bear Panel. It’s kind of faint but there is definitely a bear shape up there.

The Twins. And some recent graffiti by some asshole named John. I hope John gets bitten by a rattlesnake. People who feel the need to damage ancient rock art shouldn’t be allowed on our trails.

Another jerk whom I hope suffers a rattlesnake bite.

End of the trail. Just return the way you came in.

Heading back down.

Another rock slide.

This one appears to have damaged one of the drawings.

On one of the fallen rocks.

Another shot of the different layers.

Another really neat panel. I think this was near the headhunter.

I missed this one on the last viewing. This one definitely appears to be holding a severed head.

The trail back.

Part of the farm below.

Rocks above.

After passing through the small side canyon you will have the option to take the shortcut to the parking lot. Or, if you want you can return to the first set of panels.

Heading down.

Back down to the trailhead.

Looking at the cliffs above again.

While here, be sure to check out The Three Kings Trail just a further down McConkie Ranch Road. Stay parked here, there is no additional parking lot.

This was an incredible trail! I have never seen so many petroglyphs and pictograms in one place before, and they are probably the easiest ones I am now aware of to get to. It is just awesome! Going with 10 squirrels out of 10.

As for difficulty, a little bit of boulder scrambling but otherwise super easy. DR3. Like I said, it looks scarier than it actually is.

Dogs are allowed, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.