The precise meaning of the circles, zigzags, and animalistic figures etched into Oregon's desert cliffs thousands of years ago has been lost, but rock art may have been an attempt to communicate with the spirit world at sacred sites.  Short, trailless walks lead to to of these mystic places on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.  Nearly 100 drawings decorate the basalt ledge ringing Petroglyph Lake, a rare water source where antelope come to drint.  Flook Lake is a dry alkali playa, but an adjacent box canyon has petroglyphs near a hidden rock pool.

To be sure, these are not destinations for the disrespectful, nor for the ill prepared.  Even the thouch of a finger can damage the ancient art.  And the sagebrush desert has no trails.  Bring long pants, boots, and some routefinding skills.  . . .

Other Options

The area's best views are atop . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon