Part 2 of our journey takes place along the Inscription Rock Trail where these unique and beautiful inscriptions were carved or etched into stone hundreds of years ago. Some are petroglyphs that were left by the Ancient Puebloans, while others are messages left by the Spanish Conquistadors. There are also many inscriptions left by US Army engineers who were tasked in creating a route for civilians on their way west during the Western Expansion. One of the reasons they stopped at El Morro was because of a plentiful water supply created by rainwater and snow melt from the top of the mesa. As the water dripped down, it formed a pool at the base. When full, the pool held up to 200,000 gallons of water. It became a natural place for travelers to rest as well as feed and water their horses and camp before starting the next leg of their journey. I purchased a book at the Visitors Center which translates some of the more prominent inscriptions that are in Spanish and I will pass along those translations under each photo. Many of the inscriptions are faded and were hard to see. I used a photo editor to enhance them so that they are more visible. Click on any photo to enlarge as they are easier to see. I hope you enjoy the inscriptions and the history of Inscription Rock.
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An Inspired Cook 