V BAR V HERITAGE SITE
V Bar V Heritage Site
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| Petroglyphs at V Bar V |
After surviving centuries of
exposure to Arizona's extreme climate, the petroglyphs at V Bar V
Heritage Site almost succumbed to cow butts. There's an air of
mysticism about the tiny alcove that bears the etchings of the
Southern Sinagua people who lived in the area from A.D. 1150 to
around 1400. Shaded by sandstone bluffs near the banks of Wet Beaver
Creek east of Sedona, site is wrapped in a strip of viney, deciduous
forest that insulates it from the surrounding high desert heat. It's
no wonder the cows found it too.
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| Ranch relics along the trail |
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| Beautiful mysteries in the rock |
Seeking water and a shady spot to
wallow away the days, grazing cattle from ranch operations that
occupied the property during the 20th century would congregate at the
cliffs, rubbing their hides against the ancient embellishments.
Luckily, a rancher who understood the historical value of the rock
art fenced off the site before the cows could scour away the
etchings. Today, a swath of bovine-butt-burnished sandstone is still
visible on the panels. Since this initial save, the preservation
baton has been passed on to Coconino National Forest, Verde Valley
Archeological Society, Friends of the Forest and the Arizona Natural
History Society.
With more than 1000
documented petroglyphs, the site is the most concentrated and best
preserved in the Verde Valley. Volunteers conduct on-site talks
describing archeological findings and theories about the meaning and
purposes of the symbols. Without this guidance, you might not notice
that much of the art swirls around a sophisticated solar calendar.
Guides point out what are believed to be solstice markers, planting
calendar, records of celestial events and a map of the Verde River
tapped into russet stone walls.
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| Creekside trail to the archeological site |
Although we'll never know
for sure what the incised images of animals, humans and geometric
forms represent, it's fun to toss around your own creative
hypotheses. Perhaps the beautifully symmetrical designs record dance
steps, songs, shamanistic messages, family names or the doodling of
hunters waiting for a deer to wander into range. Regardless of our
guesswork, this was, and is an important place worthy our continual
protection.
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| Volunteer guides enlighten visitors |
LENGTH: 1 mile round trip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 3800'
GETTING THERE:
From Interstate 17 north of
Camp Verde, take the Sedona-Oak Creek exit 298. Turn right at the
bottom of the offramp and continue 2.8 miles to the entrance on the
right. The site is open Friday through Monday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are restrooms, picnic tables
and a gift shop at the visitor center. A Red Rock Pass is required
and may be purchased on site.
INFO & MAP: Coconino National
Forest
RED ROCK PASS PROGRAM:
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