I just returned from a trip to Arizona.  My husband and I visited the south eastern part of Arizona.  We were at Fort Huachuca around the Sierra Vista area.  Our nephew graduated from his advanced Army training and we went there to see his graduation.  We took a few extra days to explore the area. 

On December 12, an important portal day, we spent out in nature in the Huachuca Mountains.  The Huachuca Mountains are a part of the Sierra mountain range and received its name from the Apache Nation.  Huachuca translates in English as “a place of thunder”.  The mountains are known as the “Thunder Mountains”.  This area is a place of transition from the Chihuauhua-Sonoran desert and the mountains.  This is also the mountain range that Chochise and Geronimo escaped to in order to evade capture.  We have to keep in mind that at one time this place we call Arizona state was actually a part of Mexico and the Native people of that time knew of no borders between the United States and Mexico.

We hiked up part of the way to Garden Canyon which is in the Huachuca Mountains on the Vanished Trail.  Vanished Trail is 6300 feet above sea level.  There are 3 prehistoric archeological sites on Fort Huachuca that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  According to the Fort’s information, the pictographs are dated 300 – 1540 A.D.  We decided to look for the pictographs at the Garden Canyon site.

I had to look up the definition of a petroglyph and a pictograph since I didn’t know the difference between the two words.  A pictograph is a picture or picture like symbol used in a system of writing.  A petroglyph is a drawing or carving on a rock made by a member of a prehistoric people. 

The Garden Canyon pictographs consist of 53 pictures that are painted on the roof and vertical face of the rock shelter. Some of the pictographs are painted in red and black and date to circa AD 1300.  Other pictures are in black and white and date back to circa 1700. The black and white pictures are considered to be Apache drawn.

Since there are some pictures that date to the 1700’s, I can see why the archeologists use the word pictograph instead of petroglyph.  Had the only pictures been dated to the 300-1540 A.D, then we could use the word petroglyph.

I had not done any research prior to our trip so I didn’t know about the pictographs.  We stopped by the Visitors Center on the Fort and we were given a map of the area.  The map had information about the archeological sites.  We decided to try to locate the pictographs.  We were not exactly prepared to do a mile and half hike up.  In fact, I had my Skecher slip tennis shoes on!  We did have water with us.  I have not hiked to this height before and I can say that the air is definitely thinner at 6300 feet.  As we made our way up the mountain we had to jump over small mountain streams of water that came from melted snow.   The vistas were magnificent as we looked across the canyon to other parts of the mountain range.  There was ponderosa pine, barkless trees, and loads of different kinds of cacti.  We came to bends in the trail and at each bend we stopped to decide if we were going to further or not.  While at each bend we took time to rest and breathe….deciding to see what was around the next bend.

We could hear the rushing of the mountain streams, the sound of small waterfalls, birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees.  The sky was a clear bright blue.  I felt like I was at the top of the world.  At one point my husband pointed out a cactus growing in a tree.  The tree may have been dead or dying, I couldn’t tell.  Here is a picture of the cactus in the tree.

We finally made it up to the first set of pictographs – Garden Canyon Pictographs.  Before approaching the pictures, I gave tobacco to ask permission to pass and to give thanks to the Ancient Ones for leaving behind information for us.  I also gave thanks to the mountain, to the Stone People, to the water and to the trees.  We were allowed to proceed to the pictographs.  Fort Huachuca fenced off the site for its protection so I wasn’t able to touch the actual carvings.  I did sit on a rock outside the fence to connect with the Ancient Ones.  I was directed to Dance on Ancient Ground.  So, I did.  I danced next to the pictographs, honoring those Ancient Ones who left us a story and clues to their life and for ours.

As we headed down the mountain, I realized that it was 12/12.  We felt lighter and happier as we walked down the mountain.  I suggested that it may have been the negative ions from the trees and water.  But, I believe we can also include the blessing we received from the Arizona Ancient Ones.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. 

Many Blessings,  Neshi.

All Rights Reserved.   Copyright, Neshi Lokotz, Dec 2007.