Counsel Rocks

Counsel Rocks, Mojave, Mojave National Preserve, California, Rock Art, Petroglyphs, Pictographs, MNP, Mojave Desert, Hiking, Exploring, Camping, Off Roading
Bright green lichen covering a boulder at Counsel Rocks archaeological site…click to enlarge

The wind-carved and hollowed out boulders at Counsel Rocks make for some unique & interesting shapes.  This area was thought to have been an ancient ceremonial site related to the Mohave and Chemehuevi people.  Counsel Rocks Archaeological District is located near Wildhorse Mesa in the expansive and beautiful Mojave National Preserve.  There are several petroglyphs and pictographs located throughout the boulders, some of which will require you to crawl under the boulders to see them.  It’s speculated that this was an important ritual site for prehistoric Native Americans, wtih coming of age & fertility ceremonies figuring prominently.

Please click on the images below (NOTE- there is a 2nd gallery with enhanced pictures, below this gallery):

Jon Harman, Ph D, developed a program called DStretch to help digitally enhance faded pictographs.  The gallery below include enhanced pictures using DStretch:

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