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Friends oF red rock canyon 15

Willow Spring handprints. These pictographs
are located in the Willow Springs Picnic Area
behind a fenced area. Although the on-site images
are very faded, you can see them with an effort.
This photo was taken by Donald Herman in ap-
proximately 2012 and was creatively enhanced to
highlight the handprints and boost the colors.
Enhanced photo by Don Herman

In addition to the natural beauty of Red Rock Can- four-wheel drive along a dirt road. We’ve been
yon, there are also precious reminders of the ancient monitoring a site at Red Rock for nine years and
people who used the canyon. have really enjoyed getting to know every ancient
drawing. It’s amazing how the changing seasons and
Have you visited Willow Springs and seen the light alter the artwork. We’re seeing new things all
handprints or hiked the Petroglyph Trail? Many visi- of the time!
tors have enjoyed and appreciated the pictographs
and petroglyphs but a few have intentionally or unin-
tentionally damaged the images. It is more important
than ever to protect these resources.

The Nevada Site Stewardship Program (NSSP) is a
state-run organization that trains volunteers to moni-
tor historic and prehistoric sites. After completing a
six-hour training course, volunteers are assigned a
site to monitor. The site stewards are asked to visit
the site at least four times a year and report any hu-
man caused impacts such as graffiti or looting and
any natural impacts such as erosion or fire damage.
There are about a dozen sites at Red Rock Can-
yon. Some of the sites are accessible from the scenic Petroglyph Trail
drive and others require driving a high clearance Photo by Roger Kolar

Petroglyph panel with graffiti in 2015. Same petroglyph panel as inked in approximately 2006.
Friends Archival Photo Friends Archival Photo

As more visitors come to Red Rock, we need more eyes on the resources. If you are interested in becoming a Cultural
Resource team member, contact Chuck Williams at chuck@friendsofredrockcanyon.org
Contact Roger or Sue Kolar at lvregionnssp@cox.net or visit the NSSP website at www.nevadasitestewards.org
for more information about becoming a Site Steward.

Winter 2017