Woods Wash

Woods Wash, MNP, Mojave, Mojave Desert, Mojave National Preserve, Native Americans, Rock Art, Petroglyphs, Pictographs
Faded pictograph overlooking Woods Wash

Woods Wash is located in the sprawling and beautiful Mojave National Preserve.  There’s a LOT to see in the Mojave National Preserve and Woods Wash is in one of the more remote areas.  I’ve found it easier getting to Woods Wash coming from the East, but either way you’ll need a high-clearance 4-wheel drive.  The conditions will vary, but the last 3 – 6 miles can be pretty rough.  Throughout the wash, there are thousands of individual petroglyphs, a few pictographs and shelter areas with signs of habitation.  Pictographs are rarer in this part of the Mojave and these ones are fading from the exposure to the elements, but they’re still unique and and I always find them awe inspiring.  Please note: there are two separate galleries listed below.

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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