Stop to enjoy rock art at Keyhole

Deborah Wall/Special to ViewKeyhole Canyon is a box canyon ending with this 30-foot dryfall. Advertisement

The craving for natural beauty respects human schedules no more than craving for chocolate does. Just as many folks keep a candy bar hidden but handy against inconvenient hunger, so a devoted hiker mentally stashes a quick but satisfying hike to be done when life affords only a few hours outdoors.

One of the best such emergency hikes is up to Keyhole Canyon, south of Boulder City on the western foot of the Eldorado Mountains. It's so near town that little equipment is required: Just plenty of water, seasonal clothing, binoculars and emergency supplies. Furthermore, it's easy, suitable for whatever companions you must entertain -- even people who are a little lame, a little lazy or just plain little. Hiking Keyhole end to end will only take 10 to 15 minutes, but admiring the canyon's petroglyphs and pictographs can enrich as much time as you choose to invest.

Depending where you park, follow the fence line to the mouth of the canyon, where you will find a log-and-wire hikers' gate. Upon entering, stop and take a look around at the boulders and cliff faces, and you'll see the first of many petroglyphs associated with this canyon.

Pre-historic American Indians hammered or pecked these symbols into the dark desert varnish on the rock surface, exposing the lighter-colored rock underneath.

Here, the rocks are mostly quartz monsonite. Desert varnish, of course, is the dark coating that forms on rocks over centuries in the arid Southwest. Ranging from reddish to black, this patina is composed of clay particles along with iron and manganese oxides and trace elements.

Don't forget to look high on the walls, because that's where you'll find some of the most interesting panels. They are especially concentrated on the left side going in. Never attempt to climb up for a closer look; it is a steep and dangerous undertaking and also can cause irreparable damage to the rock art. The best way to see these panels up close is with binoculars.

Most of the glyphs are abstract, ranging from simple lines to more complicated symbols and designs. There also are plenty of recognizable forms, though, and children especially will enjoy finding the rock art that depicts bighorn sheep, lizards and humans.

As you proceed farther into the canyon, keep an eye out underneath the overhangs and unexposed surfaces for pictographs. Pictographs are painted on the rock surface and are a treat to see since they are far less common in our area than petroglyphs. Typically, they survive only in protected places like rock shelters and caves. These were painted with red ocher, a natural clay pigment.

There also are some cupules here. These are manmade circular depressions in the rock, which are thought to have been used by Indians in ceremonies.

Just after the large concentration of petroglyphs, the canyon is partially blocked by a large slab of rock. Just head through the opening and continue up the canyon using the gravel wash as your trail. Pass by the two rock chutes located on either side and continue toward the back of the canyon on the left side. The canyon curves to the left and you will be standing at the base of a dry waterfall.

The trailhead is located at about 2,900 feet in elevation so the temperatures won't be appreciably different from those predicted in the morning newspaper. The entire hike has minimal elevation gain.

If you have children along, this is a good place to teach them the importance of respecting this archaeological site and others they may come across in their future outdoor travels. Never touch petroglyphs or pictographs, as the oil in our hands will damage either; and never climb up on them or move rocks bearing them. Considerable damage was done to this irreplaceable art before most people understood it is so fragile; but there's no excuse for continuing now that we do know.

Keyhole is a popular place for rock climbers, who use it primarily for traditional climbing, but there are some bolted routes. If you plan on taking part, please stay 100 feet from any rock art. Look carefully before you start, because many of the petroglyphs are faded and not obvious until you are right on top of them.

You will need a high-clearance vehicle once you get off the highway and onto the gravel roads. Because of flash flooding, don't enter the canyon or even attempt the access roads if rain has occurred or is forecast. Also, be aware that we are entering the season when rattlesnakes might be out sunning themselves. Always watch where you place your feet and hands.

Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.