A short hike suitable for a family outing can be found about 30 miles southeast of Farmington, New Mexico. Located off of Largo Canyon south of the town of Blanco in northwest New Mexico is Crow Canyon and the main petrogylph panel hike will take you to images of hundreds of animal, human and ceremonial figures. The hike follows a cliff face on the north side of the canyon that has panel after panel of petroglyphs and rock art of Navajo origin from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Getting to Crow Canyon
From the Town of Blanco, drive east on New Mexico State Highway 64 and turn south on San Juan County Road 4450. After about five miles you will reach a fork in the road aptly called Five Mile Crossing, stay to the left and continue on County Road 4450 for several miles until a BLM sign indicates a left turn towards Crow Canyon. After a short distance Largo Wash must be crossed and depending on the time of year and water levels, a four-wheel drive vehicle may be required and/or the wash may be impassable. Once across the wash follow the signs which lead you back towards the north. At another fork in the road a sign will direct you to the main panel by taking the left fork. Drive to the end of the road and park past the oil and gas platform.
It is noteworthy to mention that there is a lot of oil and gas activity in the area and there are a lot of roads that lead to gas platforms so be sure to follow the signs after you cross Largo Wash and do not turn off of 4450 Road until you reach the BLM sign.
Hiking the Trail
A trail register marks the start of the trail and from there follows along the south facing cliff to your left. A few interpretative signs are located near the trail's beginning and offer some clues to the origins of the petroglyphs and their possible meanings. The panels are fairly close to one another so it doesn't take long to get to one from another. At one point it is possible to walk through a large crack or fissure in the cliff face which may add enjoyment for a family hike. Overall the hike is not long, perhaps a mile in length but with the abundance of rock art to view and photograph it may take you over an hour to complete.
About the Petrogylphs
There are hundreds of images on the Main Panel including animals, spirals, ceremonial figures, humans, including some on horseback, plants and other petroglyphs that are left to the imagination to discern. One of the most interesting images is that of the Navajo legend Monster Slayer who is represented in several panels and is easily recognized by the head dress flowing behind his image. Monster Slayer is one of a set of twins born to Changing Woman, the first human born in the fourth world or the White/Glitterling World which is Earth according to the Navajo Creation myth. Monster Slayer is accredited with ridding the Earth of various monsters.
This is a very worthwhile hike and takes you to hundreds of rock art images that date from 16th to 18th century Navajo Indians. A variety of images are found on the Main Panel in Crow Canyon and the hike is short enough that it can be enjoyed by all family members. If you are in northwest New Mexico and looking for a good hike, be sure to put Crow Canyon on your list of hikes to do.
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