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Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
A (pre)historic point of interest is the Three Rivers Petroglyph site west of Ruidoso. Approximately 600 to a thousand years ago, the Journada Mogollon people living in a nearby village made over 21,000 "drawings" on rocks in this area. These drawings were made by scratching and/or pecking a dark brown/black coating of manganese and iron oxides off of lighter colored volcanic rocks.
The artistry and skill of the various artists vary greatly- From crude to sublime. It is obvious what many of the images are, some are very obscure and open to many interpretations, some are just geometric patterns and some are apparently just "scribblings".
Many people believe that the petroglyphs are of mainly religious significance, some think they tell a story of historical significance, and some people believe that they are mainly artistic expression. And while I'm sure that there is a component of all of these, I believe that they are primarily a product of boredom! On a clear day, you can see many miles from the hill that the petroglyphs are on, and I can just picture residents of the nearby village up here on guard duty, drawing pictures to pass the time.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) The Three Rivers Petroglyph area has a picnic area with tables, grills, water and restrooms available. I believe that overnight camping is permitted in the area, although it would be wise to call the BLM district office at (505) 525-4300 to make certain. There is a fee to enter the area- it was $2.00 per car at the time I visited.
The main trail is about 1/2 mile long, although for a thorough
exploration of the site you will cover several miles all-together. There
are some handicap facilities available, but you will have to be able to walk
pretty well to be able to see anything worthwhile here. It
can get pretty hot here in the summer time and pretty cool in the winter.
Have the appropriate clothing available- and some decent walking shoes or hiking
boots... A wide brimmed hat and sun-block wouldn't be a bad idea either.
While there is water at the picnic area, it would be a good idea to carry
a canteen or bottle of water.
The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is about 20 miles due west of Ruidoso ("as the crow flies") Approximately 64 miles by road via Carrizozo and 57 miles via Tularosa. From Carrizozo, head south on Highway 54 for about 28 miles, then turn left at the Three Rivers turn-off. Or from Tularosa, travel approximately 18 miles north on 54; Then continue in an easterly direction for five miles. The turnoff and the site are well marked. If you are navigating by GPS, the settings (Lat & Lon) are: N 32° 20' 41.53" W 106° 20' 35.06" A nice Day Trip would be to make the "loop". Get an early start and you could include a visit to White Sands National Monument which is approximately 50 miles southwest of the petroglyph site.
(Click on any picture to see larger view)
Historic marker at turnoff from Highway 54
"Trading Post" at turnoff from Highway 54
Sign at turnoff from Highway 54
Looking east toward Sierra Blanca about a mile after the turnoff from Hwy 54
Signs at entrance to site
View of picnic area
Entrance to the trail to Petroglyphs
Another sign at the entrance to the trail
Beginning of the uphill trail
First significant PetroGlyph (PG henceforth) you encounter along the trail
(even then cockroaches must have been a problem!)
(same as previous picture, but rotated 90°, it is more recognizable
Nice view of a group of PGs and a view of the landscape in a northerly direction
A view of Sierra Blanca to the east from about mid-way on the trail 
Impossible, but It sure looks to me like someone is hunting a dinosaur with a
flaming club!
There are a LOT of PGs here with symbols like this here. A very popular
design at Three Rivers
A little hard to see because of the sun/shade, but this is some kind of critter
(turtle, armadillo, BIG bug???) with an arrow in its chest.
The first peace symbol???
Turkey Tracks?
The first Superman??
Looks like a Llama to me- Was there trade with the Incas all the way down
in Peru?
This is the most famous PG from the site- A Bighorn Sheep with three arrows in
it.
Another Bighorn, a "thunderbird and a ??
VERY INTERESTING- A god, an alien, a ceremonial costume or what??
Looking east toward the San Andres mountains
Wascally Wabbitt
Nice earrings.
There are 6 fingers on one of these hands!
View to the south-east, showing parking area.
A devil, a demon or the "antelope man"??
The Stairway to Heaven??
A heck of a storm and coming FAST!!!
This storm blew up out of nowhere. 25 minutes after I took this picture I was
about half way to Tularosa when the wind and dust hit- Visibility went down to
about three feet, almost blew my vehicle off the road! Then it started
RAINING MUD. This was a freak storm, but in this area freak storms aren't really
that rare, so be prepared for anything!!
Photos copyright Robert L. Thompson ©2000