Petroglyphs

Issue #045 - Valley of Fire, Nevada

One of the largest displays of petroglyphs in southern Nevada is located at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon, five miles west of Laughlin, Nevada. This location is near the point where Arizona, California, and Nevada meet. This spot is a ninety-minute drive south of Las Vegas. To photograph the many petroglyphs, you will need several lenses. A 28-80mm zoom and a 70-300mm zoom should allow you to frame the whole scene as well as the small details located high above the trail. Most of the petroglyphs are geometric patterns, with a few human figures and some big horn sheep scattered throughout. Some of the rock art is at ground level. Other panels are high up on the slopes and require a long telephoto lens. A 300mm lens was perfect for framing most of the higher petroglyphs. Most of the panels face the east, and morning light is probably the best illumination for these petroglyphs. In the late afternoon, all the panels are in shade and there are fewer contrast problems with slick rock reflections and dark shadows beneath the stones.