The Enepitsi Trail along the Santa Clara River passes multiple petroglyph sites, which are located at the base of the tall cliffs, and on larger boulders. The rock art is predominantly from Anasazi times (ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians who inhabited the Four Corners country of southern Utah from AD200 to AD1300) and is found in small groups, with little to no superimposition of images.
First Panel
Just after a gate across the trail is the first, small panel of petroglyphs, located at the base of the cliff.
Second Panel
A short distance further is another small panel, consisting of a few motifs fairly high up on the cliff.
Third Panel
The third panel is another couple of hundred yards along the cliff-line, and has one of the more complex arrangements of motifs along the Enepitsi Trail:
The grid shaped figure with the darker lines is an anthropomorphic character with legs, at least one arm, and one antennae looking horn. It might also have a bird perched on its shoulder or bicep. Above its head is a spoked circle. The image to the right might be another anthropomorphic figure with a fringed garment that has in irregular shaped geometric spoked pattern on its body or vestment. Off to the right are 2 smaller figures that are common in the area that we think of as ancestral persons with the one on the left being a male. These 2 personages are white so perhaps they are some of the ‘ghosts’ that are implied in the trails name.
Near this is a collection of images scattered along a number of adjacent surfaces along the cliff. It includes a number of sheep and elk, as well as more abstract figures.
Fourth Panel
The next panel sits high above the track on the back of a large boulder: there are great views from here up and down the Santa Clara River.
The dark-coloured boulder has some of the most distinct motifs along the Enepitsi Trail.
Fifth Panel
This small but complex panel is on the side of a boulder just above the trail – and well below the cliffs. You can just see the petroglyphs on the bottom right of the boulder.
Although only occupying a small part of the rock, there are a number of detailed motifs in close proximity.
Sixth Panel
This small panel is on the southern (river) side of the trail, on the side of a large boulder close to the trail.
Seventh and Eighth Panels
The last two panels are on boulders that sit on opposite sides of the trail.
The petroglyphs are fairly high on the boulder on the right.
On the left-hand boulder, the rock art is less distinct.
Getting to the Enepitsi Trail
If using Google Maps, enter “Tukupetsi Trailhead” which takes you to the parking area signposted start of the walk. It’s at the end of Graveyard Wash Road, which is off Santa Clara Drive, about 7.5 miles (15min) from the I-15 in St George.
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