Central Oregon Archives

Unraveling the Mysteries of Pictograph Cave #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty #Petroglyphs

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / August 29, 2023

Hidden amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Bend, Oregon, lies the treasure of ancient history and art – the Pictograph Cave. It’s east of Bend between China Hat and Pine Mountain in the lonely plains of the high desert.

The Trail

There’s no easy way to get there. It’s a 3.4-mile round-trip trek through the desert, longer as you’re sure to have some issues finding your way there and back. There is no clearly marked trail, and you’re often traipsing through the desert using landmarks and the compass on your phone for help. The day we went, it was very smokey. Boo for forest fires! If you go, be sure to wear socks. The flora have lots of stickers and prickers. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to wear those shoes again. There are still things poking me when I put them on.

Protecting the Past

It’s dry and dusty, so bring lots of water. The reason the cave is pretty well hidden is to protect it from vandals. Some a$$hats defaced a cave that is easier to access and ruined it for everyone. I’m all for protecting this cave. There’s a lot to study and learn.

Evidence of Ancient Tool Making

That’s Pine Mountain in the distance. I ‘m usually driving past this part of the desert, not walking through it. One of the cool things is, there are pieces of obsidian everywhere – remnants of toolmaking. The natives seemed to have used this area quite a bit for there to be so much obsidian lying around. This evidence of the past you can witness without finding the cave.

Watch Your Step!

Besides being on the lookout for snakes and roots trying to trip you, you have to be aware of sudden holes in the earth that want to swallow you up. This drop would have ended the hike in tragedy. And, you’re pretty much out there on your own. We didn’t see anybody else anywhere on the trails or parked on the dirt path leading to the walking path.

Closed for Bats

Be aware that the cave, and every cave in the area, is closed for bat hibernation between October 1st and April 30th. You have to respect nature and all its creatures.

And the entrance to the cave is rather treacherous. It involves climbing and is not easy. You should have at least one other person with you for safety. There are some hand and foot holds, but you have to be into rock climbing.

Once you make it to the cave, and then down into the cave, you’ll be rewarded with ancient rock art.

The Magnificent Rock Art

The intricate and vibrant pictographs tell stories of a bygone era, capturing the creativity and ingenuity of the early inhabitants. The cave’s walls showcase a diverse array of artwork, including depictions of wildlife, human figures, celestial objects, and abstract symbols. The drawings span over time and are thousands of years old. There isn’t any information on what they mean, but it’s humbling to stand where ancient humans did thousands of years ago and try to figure out what had stirred them to paint the images they did on the cave walls. I monkeyed with the photos to make the drawings more clear.

A Trek of Discovery

Visiting Pictograph Cave in Bend, Oregon, offers a unique opportunity. Walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations, you can imagine what life might have been like in prehistoric times. The cave’s aura of mystery and the palpable connection to the past create an unforgettable experience, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the richness of human history.

Alkalai Lake, Oregon: Discovering Nature’s Resilience Amidst Environmental Challenges #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / July 25, 2023

Alkali Lake is deep within the Great Basin region of Oregon. The Great Basin is the largest area of watersheds with no outlets in North America. Alkali Lake is a natural sink surrounded by stunning landscapes and environmental challenges.

Geological Formation and Magnificent Landscapes:

Alkali Lake emerged as a geographic sink, showcasing the intricate geological processes that shape our planet. Situated 26 miles east of Christmas Valley, Oregon, and to the northeast of Lake Abert, this remarkable body of water is a testament to the dynamic nature of Earth’s landscapes. The surrounding area, adorned by the majestic Abert Rim and Highway 395, provides a breathtaking backdrop.

Water Level Variations and Changing Dynamics:

Throughout its existence, Alkali Lake has experienced significant variations in water levels. In the past, it reached a prehistoric maximum depth of approximately 270.7 feet (82.5 meters) and covered an expansive area of around 1,448.4 square miles (3,751 square kilometers). However, over time, a drying trend has become apparent, leading to fluctuations.

Alkaline Salts and the Natural Composition:

One of the notable characteristics of Alkali Lake is the presence of dissolved alkaline salts within its seasonal waters. On average, these alkaline salts account for approximately 10% of the total brine weight. While this unique composition poses challenges for some forms of life, it also creates a distinctive ecosystem that has adapted to the conditions over time, showcasing nature’s resilience and adaptability.

The Alkali Lake Chemical Waste Dump:

In close proximity to Alkali Lake lies the Alkali Lake Chemical Waste Dump, which is an unfortunate reminder of past environmental challenges. This site served as a repository for chemical waste, and its presence raises awareness about the importance of responsible waste management and the long-term effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of the waste dump are ongoing, underscoring the significance of environmental stewardship.

Despite the environmental challenges it faces, Alkali Lake’s natural beauty remains resilient.

Exploring Fremont Point: Weird and Wonderful Oregon #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty #photography

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / April 18, 2023

Oregon is famous for its scenic beauty, and Fremont Point is no exception. Located near Summer Lake, this hidden gem offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The destination was originally Summer Lake in the Great Basin. The lake dries up the farther from spring it is. So, it was pretty dry. The vistas are still stunning and worth a visit, however.

A sign pointed up a dirt road to Fremont Point, and we decided to go see what was there. It was a pretty steep climb, so we figured it’d be a great viewpoint. It was, but the best part was the drive up. The hillsides were covered with this fairytale landscape of dead trees and flowers. It was incredibly beautiful and surreal. Rarely are we disappointed by exploring a road by chance and seeing where it goes. This one was certainly worthwhile.

The landscapes were stunning and it was so still and quiet. There were a lot of places to pull over and go exploring. There were vast vistas and smaller copses to discover, and all worth the time.

You can see a wee bit of water through the trees, which what was left of Summer Lake.

It’s always splendid to find a hidden gem when exploring the lesser-traveled places in Oregon. Oregon certainly has a lot of beauty to offer. Hope you find some spectacular places to explore where you are.

Weird and Wonderful Oregon: Petersens Rock Garden #photography

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / January 31, 2023

Petersen’s Rock Garden is a unique and fascinating destination. The garden is filled with intricate and creative rock formations, sculptures, and buildings, all made entirely out of rocks and stones. Some of them you can even walk inside.

One of the highlights of Petersen’s Rock Garden is the “Castle,” a towering structure made up of hundreds of carefully placed rocks. The castle features multiple levels, staircases, and even a throne room, all built from a variety of different colored rocks. There are bridges built of stone crossing the moat.

In addition to the castle, there are also several smaller rock structures scattered throughout the garden, including a replica of Stonehenge, a rock chapel, and a rock-lined pond. All of these structures are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with waterfalls, streams, and native plants. It’s a fun and quirky visit complete with a glow-in-the-dark display inside the museum.

Wild and Wonderful Oregon: Eagle Rock #NaturePhotography #NatureBeauty

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / November 12, 2022

Eagle Rock is worth exploring in wild and wonderful Oregon.

In the Ochocos Mountains, Eagle Rock is an erosional remnant of a hardened volcanic ash deposit. You can climb up it, which I did. That was the easy part. Getting down was much harder. Knowing that, didn’t stop me. Luckily, I didn’t break myself. That would have been easy to do.

What spectacular views! In the morning, the higher elevations had some snow.

Weird and Wild Oregon: Picture Rock Pass #Photography

Oregon, Photography, Weird and Wonderful / By M Pax / September 27, 2022

Picture Rock is between Summer and Silver Lakes in the Oregon Outback.

The petroglyphs were left on this boulder were most likely created during either the Clovis Period (10,000 and 12,000 years ago) or the Stemmed Point Period (7,500 to 10,000 years ago).

The rock wasn’t easy to find. In fact, without Google Maps, I doubt we would have. That’s a good thing, though. The harder it is to find, the more likely it is to be preserved. But it was worth the hunt.

I found this diagram on Wikipedia, which shows the carvings in clearer detail.

Four arms? And, two of the figures have horns. It’s obviously either an alien or yeti attack, and the one dude is escaping on horseback. What do you think it means?