Newspaper Rock
On our way into the park, we pass "Newspaper Rock". As these glyphs have been carved into the surface of the rock, it is difficult to impossible to identify how long they have been weathering in the open. Cultural context or meaning has been difficult to determine, as has the significance of any of these carvings because many persons from the time of the earliest settlers to the new-agers of today have contributed to the symbols on the wall. In many ways, this rock wall speaks more to our changing interpretations of indigenous art than it does to any real expression or extension of that art.
As always, we began our journey at the Visitor Center and Ranger station. They had another amazing three-dimensional map of the park. Grabbed a few brochures, another map to carry with us on our travels, and I caved and purchased a book on hiking the geology of the American Southwest.