Rock Art On Display
Looking for something interesting and different to do? We’d like to suggest a half-day excursion to view the petroglyphs in Inscription Canyon, a collection of more than 1,000 drawings discovered in the Black Mountain Rock Art District just northwest of Barstow, California. The Black Mountain Rock Art District has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is protected by federal law .
It is interesting to speculate what the Native Americans who engraved these images over the past 12,000 years were saying. Are they trying to convey a message, or is it simply art? Since we have no definitive answers, it makes for fun speculation.
By chance, we went at a perfect time to catch the wildflowers in full array in a year of more ample than usual rainfall. The yellow carpet of flowers punctuated by blues and purples was spectacular. Our route was simple and easily navigated by a 4-wheel drive vehicle—a good choice for a novice off-roader. The more popular route outlined in books of trails in the area suggests following Black Canyon Road most of the way; however, Mr. Jim Sherer at the Barstow office of the Bureau or Land Management, suggested the alternate route below. It is approximately 36 – 36.5 miles of pretty decent roads, only about 6 miles of bumps.
Exiting Barstow Calico KOA to the left onto Outer Highway 15 No., turn left (No.) on Ghost Town Road. Turn left again on Yermo Cut-off to Ft. Irwin Road. At stop sign turn right onto Ft. Irwin Road to Irwin Road, at which point you should be 8 miles from the park. Follow Irwin Road 3.2 miles to Copper City Road (dirt road) GPS Coordinates are N 34◦ 59’ 25.00”, W 116◦ 59’ 06.60” at this intersection. Turn right on Copper City Road and proceed 15.2 miles to a fence that surrounds restricted area. Turn left and follow the fence 4.1 miles to a gate in the fence on the right and a road on the left. (N 35◦ 12’ 51.30”, W117◦ 04’ 58.20”) Turn left on the Road, which turns into Black Canyon Road (though unmarked) , and continue to Inscription Canyon, a distance of about 6.4 miles. (N35◦ 11’ 55.00”, W117◦ 11’ 36.00”). Since there have been many detours created to avoid puddles , the mileage here may be slightly off.
Also, please be aware that there is a “y” to the left from the Black Canyon Road, but to reach Inscription Canyon, follow the right fork (more or less straight). An undefined parking area is provided at the beginning of the path to the petroglyphs, and it is a very short walk to the canyon.
Inscription Canyon is a small arroyo about 200 yards long and 10 to 50 yards wide. Along the walls of the canyon are more than one thousand petroglyphs, depicting animals (most common were the bighorn sheep, deer, reptiles and birds) as well as humans and geometric designs. Though vandalism and unintentional damage caused by visitors has taken its toll, this archaeological and historical site remains an important trace of our past.
 Sign marking entrance |
 Walk to rock art |
 Petroglyph |
 Another petroglyph |
 Another petroglyph |
 Another petroglyph |
 Another petroglyph |
 Black Canyon flower fields |
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Dirt Bike Trails
Undoubtedly, dirt bike enthusiasts will note some lucrative trails along one portion of Copper City Road. They appear to be open to the public, and provided an excellent riding area for our bikers.