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Sego Canyon

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5439 - 5484 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Sego Canyon
Fee: none
Attractions: Barrier Canyon, Fremont and Ute style pictographs




Sego Canyon is located 4 miles north of Thompson, Utah, just off Interstate 70, about 80 west of Grand Junction, Colorado. The Sego Canyon site is famous for its panels of Ute and Fremont Indian petroglyphs/pictographs and Barrier Canyon style pictographs. The 4 mile stretch of road from Thompson to the parking area is paved. To walk the trail around the first 3 sets of drawings and then hike down the gravel road, about a hundred yards, to the corral site and back requires about a half mile of easy effort.



The first panel, just west of the parking area, is of Ute Indian rock art and some more recent graffiti. The Ute Indian rock art is depicted of horse and rider figures, various hunting scenes, and round objects believed to be shields.


The next panel is of classic Fremont Indian rock art depicted by trapezoidal figures which at times have arms but commonly don't. The Fremont Indians were contemporary with the Anasazi and they both predated the Ute Indians. There are kiosks at each panel that give a good deal of information. At least as much as anyone has been able to figure out.


The third panel in the set is of Barrier Canyon style rock art. All the figures seem to be telling some unknown story. Some seem to look like space aliens but I guess some of us do to at times.


Across the canyon, and down the dirt road 50 yards or so, is another set of panels. Of all the people viewing the first panels, we were the only ones that walked over and inspected them. The pictographs in the picture above are at eye level and can be examined much closer. It is important not to touch them with your fingers because the oil damages the paint and the patina.


The picture above shows Fremont style rock art of a trapezoidal figure with arms.


This great example of Ute Indian rock art has been permanently damaged by some gun shot pot marks. If you like Indian rock art and would like to try something a little different then the world renowned Sego Canyon site might be just the ticket. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do 'Take a hike'.