Round Trip Distance: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6242 - 6275 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead turnoff: 36.45436, -107.46895
Fee: none
Attractions: petroglyphs
The Tapacito Creek Petroglyphs are located in the Dinetah area east of Bloomfield, New Mexico. There are several places along the first several miles of the creek where there are small panels of petroglyphs. Some of them appear to be of Navajo origin and there are others that might have been made by colonists from Mexico.
Driving apps aren't aware of the oilfield road that will get you to the petroglyphs so for turn-by-turn directions use the coordinates of the turnoff 36.45436, -107.46895. After turning onto this road follow it for a half mile to where it comes to a shallow wash that leads from a spillover.
The petroglyphs are visible from the road. An easy route to get to them is to simply walk up the wash until you are below them and then walk out of the wash for the last 20-30 feet to the panel.
The panel is framed on both sides by areas of darker patina.
On the left side of the panel are 3 anthros of contrasting sizes from very little to quite large.
All the way on the right is what might be a warrior holding a large shield.
Interspersed between these are a few more anthros.
Among the zoomorphs there is this very large bodied image and several others which are much smaller.
We also explored the cliffs further down the canyon toward Largo Wash and found what looks like the initials 'JI'.
In another spot there is what might be a Mexican. It is hard to tell what he is holding but some ideas are a sword in one hand and a tobacco pipe in the other.
There could be a lot more rock art along the Tapicito Road. As yet, we haven't explored it any further than the turnoff to the Tapicito and Split Rock Ruins.
If you would like to see the Tapicito Creek Petroglyphs for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
