Prehistoric Art in Indian Head Canyon, Beaverhead Mountains, Idaho

Cave at the Entrance to Indian Head Canyon

When Daniel Griffin told me about prehistoric rock art in Skull Canyon and Indian Head Canyon, I knew I had to find it some day. Ben and I went looking for the ancient paintings in Skull Canyon earlier in the summer. We scoured the canyon walls in key locations and struck out. The only thing that made the trip memorable was getting two flat tires at the same time at the top of the canyon. Later, we visited Indian Head Canyon and found the prominent cave at the entrance which contains several paintings. Sometimes I think this kind of record speaks of shaman like rituals...spiritual awakenings or spiritual beings. The paintings could be documents of great journeys, great hunts, or heroic accomplishments. At other times I think it just might be the equivalent of graffiti. Whatever the motivation was, such marks on cave walls and rock faces speak to our humanness and our desire to leave some kind of record. I am intrigued and amazed whenever I see such marks.

Clouds Over the Beaverheads From Birch Creek Valley, Idaho

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art 

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Indian Head Canyon Prehistoric Art

Leaving Indian Head Canyon
The Lemhi Range with Bell Mountain in Center