March 13, 2012

Gordon's Panel

The Shaman's Gallery is alternately called Gordon's Panel, after Gordon Smith, a mule wrangler and trail guide who "discovered" the rock art in 1986.  Actually, he was just the first to report the find to the Grand Canyon National Park officials.
This place was visited at least as early as 1943, as indicated by a date carved on a rock beneath the overhang.
Unfortunately, someone has scratched what appears to be a name onto the art panel.  It's such a shame that someone has defaced this unique treasure. 
Above is a close-up of the green and yellow coloration.  How the dye was made and applied would certainly be interesting to know. 
Some of the colored figures have faded, or are well into the process, as you can see in the animal form above.  Does this critter paint his toenails?  I'm guessing it's a panther because of the cat claws.
We hiked out of the canyon the same way we came in.  Behind the sunlit prickly pear, you can see black rock, the remains of a volcanic lava flow. 
These towers near the top are from the Kaibab Formation.  By 4PM, we were back at the trailhead.  We spent the night in a tent on BLM land outside the Park. 
It was a cold night (25 F?) and morning.  Here I am, catching the first rays and trying to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.  Note to self: bring more warm stuff next time!
The only other person we saw while camping or hiking was a park ranger who stopped by our camp to check on what we were up to, and stayed to chat for a while.
Animal companion report:
Daisy:  Yes, she came on the trip, but she had to stay tied to a tree at the trailhead because dogs aren't allowed on National Park trails.  She was sad, but probably happier than if she had stayed home.  We did take her for a couple of runs on BLM land. 
Horses:  No, we did not bring them.  We weren't sure about road or trail conditions.  The road was rugged, and less than ideal for a 3 horse trailer, but we probably could have made it in and out as long as the road was dry.  The horses would have had no problems with the trail, not even in a narrow area with a hundred foot drop on one side.  I would have been a tiny bit nervous, however.  I was worried enough, inching past it on foot!

25 comments:

  1. You guys are so extreme. I love it.

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  2. Oh I have memories of many mornings sitting like that, waiting for the morning sun to warm me up. Great report.

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  3. Wonderful formations and art panels. Not sure why people feel the need to deface with their own "I was here" mentality. I have a Patagonia coat in that color - nice and bright so Bob doesn't lose me!

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  4. This panel is so amazing and I am saddened by it's desecration.

    That's rather cold tent camping.

    I wonder if your Ranger was Todd from Toroweap? A really great guy.

    Too bad Daisy couldn't go hiking, but I understand the no dog rule.

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  5. Amazing rock paintings! You certainly look so cold, Janie.

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  6. It is a shame that someone has added their marks to the Shaman's Gallery. But at least most of it is still okay, although fading. You sure so look cold drinking that hot chocolate!

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  7. I'm glad you found the Shaman's Gallery -- it's in amazingly good condition considering its age. It is a shame that someone attempted to deface it, I hope nothing like this happens again. I was very impressed by the lengths Steve goes to in order to get a good picture. I hope the hot chocolate warmed you up in the morning -- you definitely look cold.

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  8. Those marking are amazing but it say that humans and and big cats deface them.
    A shiver went up my spine just looking at you hulled in the cool morning air, Janie.
    cheers :)

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  9. Oh my, a trail with a hundred foot drop off on each side. That would have made me very nervous indeed!

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  10. Interesting contrast between the cave and then the brightness outside. Probably warmer in the cave too!

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  11. Hi Janie, Thanks again for sharing more of that art... That is awesome--but it does upset me when someone defaces it... Dang it!!!!

    You do look COLD... This past Friday in West VA, we were hiking and searching waterfalls. AND--the temp there was about 35 degrees --with a brisk wind blowing which made it about 10 degrees colder than it was. I about FROZE..... ha

    Thanks for sharing..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. Wonderful post Janie. It is sad to see such a treasure defaced like that. Still, those photos are awesome and yes you do look cold. I bet that hot chocolate felt good.

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  13. You are so cute....and even while you are COLD!
    It makes me so sad to see that some idiot defaced such a beautiful piece of art/history!
    So glad that Daisy got to travel with you, she is such a lucky girl!

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  14. OK, that's it, I have officially invited myself to visit one day so you can take me here. You could point me the way to go, but I'd rather go with you guys because you know the land!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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  15. Looks like a great overnighter. I would love to pitch a tent under the desert stars after hiking to the "gallery."

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  16. Amazing pictures in the two posts of rock art!

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  17. Except for being so cold in the morning, it looks like your hike was perfect in every other aspect.

    Those pictographs are impressive!

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  18. Nothing like a crisp hot chocolate morning. The panther panel made me LAUGH. Daughter Emily made a drawing of our HermieTheCat almost exactly like that, emphasizing the claws in the same way--and she had the rake marks down her cheek to show why she thought that particular kitty feature was so prominent.

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  19. Gordon's panel displays precious ancient art. These monuments must better protected to avoid further vandalization.

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  20. love the hot chocolate pic!!

    and its so wonderful to have such grt outdoors to hike!

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in

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  21. Ah what adventurous spirits you and Steve are... I love it. And the petroglyphs. Fascinating... :)

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  22. Fascinating!! Warming camping days are on the way, I hope.

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  23. http://www.gordonspanel.net/Friday, June 19, 2015

    http://www.gordonspanel.net/ http://www.gordonspanel.net/

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  24. http://www.gordonspanel.net/

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  25. The name scratched onto the panel is fairly old and probably dates prior to 1920. Annie Schmutz is the wife of Marcel Schmutz who was my grandfathers brother. They ran cattle on the Esplanade around the turn of the century bringing them down the trail you took to get to the panel. Although not ideal, the name is cowboy writing, not an intentional act of vandalism. Also, Gordon didn't "discover" the panel, he publicized it. (Unfortunately in many respects). My family has known of the panel for many years.

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