Ancient art sure to draw you in

The majority of the rock art at Grapevine Canyon in Lake Mead National Recreation Area is abstract and its meaning remains a mystery.Deborah Wall/Special to View Advertisement

The next two months are an ideal time to hit those low-elevation hikes you have been meaning to do but haven't found the time. It won't be long before warm weather comes nipping at our heels and turns our thoughts to higher, cooler ground. One place that should be on your short list is Grapevine Canyon, in the southern part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just northwest of Laughlin.

Grapevine Canyon is one of the optimum places in our region to see petroglyphs. Prehistoric American Indians pecked these symbols into the desert varnish on cliffs and boulders, exposing the lighter-colored rock beneath.

This is an especially great place to visit if you have children in your group or others who can't hike very far, as the finest panels can be found a mere quarter-mile from the trailhead. But for those up to a larger challenge and willing to do some rock scrambling, this canyon also offers rewards for exploring upstream.

From the parking area, follow the path west along the sandy bench of the broad and usually dry Grapevine Wash. Once you reach the mouth of the canyon, start looking on the boulders and cliff faces for the rock art. There are panels on both sides of the canyon, inside and out, yet those on the north side are more concentrated.

You will see all sorts of designs and figures pecked into the rock. Some, such as bighorn sheep and lizards, are easy to decipher, but most are abstract symbols whose meanings remain mysteries. Research has shown that the age of the etchings varies by centuries; some are more than 800 years old, and some are as young as 150 years old.

Evidence has shown that prehistoric American Indians spent time in this canyon, starting somewhere around 1100 A.D. This canyon is considered sacred ground for the Yuman-speaking people of the lower Colorado region. Spirit Mountain, just a couple of miles to the north, is said to be the spiritual birthplace of the tribes. You'll probably recognize the sacred mountain, for its 5,639-foot summit is the highest peak in the Newberry Mountains.

This is an excellent place to impress upon your children, or others in your group, the importance of caring for our cultural resources. Never touch the rock art, as the natural oils on our hands will damage them. Also, don't climb or sit on boulders that contain petroglyphs. Many boulders are unstable and could easily dislodge, not only displacing an important part of pre-history, but also endangering you and other visitors. So that you won't be tempted to climb on panels for a closer look, bring binoculars.

As you walk upstream, the rock art becomes less concentrated. For those with small kids along, the hike will end only about 30 yards or so from the mouth of the canyon, where you will reach a jumble of boulders and then a dryfall. Take a look below the dryfall, as there usually is some water, thanks to a natural spring.

For those up to the scramble, exploring farther upstream will be well worth it. The easiest route is up to the right side of the dryfall, but be advised, even this way is steep, and the granite is very slippery.

Once up above the dryfall, follow the drainage as best you can, in and around the thickets of canyon grapes and other dense vegetation. For the most part, staying to the north side is the easiest. You will find some worn paths sporadically, but none last the entire route. Continue upstream and you will find pockets of cottonwood and willow trees thriving in the moist soil, thanks to small seeps and springs. In some places, there are even some cattails and rushes. In places where you need to cross the wash, be sure to watch your footing, as there are deep wet areas that might catch you off guard.

About a mile from the mouth of the canyon, just when you think there isn't much more to see, the wash curves north, and you will enter a short slot canyon -- an extra treat marking the turnaround point of an already-pleasant hike.

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