Lone Warrior Pictograph |

Central Swell

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Roadside Attraction Lone Warrior Pictograph - Central Swell Roadside Attraction Lone Warrior Pictograph

Central Swell

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
MAPS: SAN RAFAEL KNOB, UT

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

29 | 23

Thu

Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

33 | 23

Fri

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

29 | 23

Sat

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

29 | 19

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.

30 | 18

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot. Not recommend if the roads are muddy or snowy.
WATER: None.

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

29 | 23

Thu

Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

33 | 23

Fri

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

29 | 23

Sat

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

29 | 19

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.

30 | 18

View Full Weather Details
The trailhead

The trailhead

Lone Warrior Pictograph is one of my favorite pictograph panels in the Swell. I will admit to generally having tastes that lean toward minimalistic design. This single red warrior with its shield, spear, and other intricacies stands out in the sea of sandstone that surrounds it. In my opinion, it is a stunning work of art. My compliments go to its creator! I would love to know if the artist was a warrior, or perhaps the partner of a warrior, or aspiring warrior?

With easy access, good camping nearby, and terrific scenery, this is a panel I highly recommend. If visiting, be sure to checkout Swaseys Cabin and Dutchman Arch/Locomotive Point. All are within a few minutes drive of the panel and can round out a day or weekend trip to the area.

Looking toward Lone Warrior, the second fence in the photo.

Looking toward Lone Warrior, the second fence in the photo.

Getting There

Note: Reaching the panel is on good dirt roads, with the last 0.4 miles being sandy and rougher. I would walk the last 0.4 miles if I were in a family sedan, however on my most recent visit (Easter Weekend 2019), there were several family sedans parked within 100' of the trailhead!

Take exit 131 from I-70 (about 30 miles west of Green River). Go south off the freeway.

  • Reset your odometer at the cattleguard after getting off I-70. ( 12S 529653mE 4303574mN / N38° 52' 50" W110° 39' 29" )
  • 3.95 miles - Turn right. Signed Swasey Cabin. ( 12S 525563mE 4299464mN / N38° 50' 37" W110° 42' 20" )
  • 5.0 miles - T-Junction, go right. ( 12S 524103mE 4298697mN / N38° 50' 12" W110° 43' 20" )
  • 6.7 miles - Good side road on the left. STAY RIGHT. ( 12S 521720mE 4299944mN / N38° 50' 53" W110° 44' 59" )
  • 7.65 Miles - Junction - Stay right. ( 12S 520577mE 4300717mN / N38° 51' 18" W110° 45' 46" )
  • 8.5 miles - Junction - Stay left. Right goes to Dutchman Arch/Locomotive Point. ( 12S 519543mE 4301501mN / N38° 51' 44" W110° 46' 29" )
  • 10.0 miles - Side road on the right to Lone Warrior Pictograph. Take this right and follow the most used road west as it heads toward the sandstone walls. This section is sandy, but 2wd vehicles were at the trailhead on my visit. ( 12S 517721mE 4300189mN / N38° 51' 01" W110° 47' 45" )
  • 10.4 miles - Lone Warrior Trailhead ( 12S 517121mE 4300455mN / N38° 51' 10" W110° 48' 10" )
The first faded petroglyph

The first faded petroglyph

Route

Rock Art and Historic Site Etiquette
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
  • Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
  • Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
  • Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
  • Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

From the trailhead, the first fenced off area surrounds a very faint petroglyph. It is worth the 1-minute side trip it takes to visit, but in my opinion not particularly interesting.

To visit the Lone Warrior, follow the now blocked off road west along the cliff base to the next fenced off area. The Lone Warrior is in this second fenced off area. It is generally south facing and has had good light every time I have visited, though I think morning light is a bit better.


Maps

Printable Maps:
10.0 miles - Side road on the right to Lone Warrior Pictograph. Take this right and follow the most used road west as it heads toward the sandstone walls. This section is sandy, but 2wd vehicles were at the trailhead on my visit.

12S 517720mE 4300188mN

N38° 51' 01" W110° 47' 45"
10.4 miles - Lone Warrior Trailhead

12S 517120mE 4300454mN

N38° 51' 10" W110° 48' 10"
Faded Panel

12S 517131mE 4300465mN

N38° 51' 10" W110° 48' 09"
Lone Warrior

12S 517020mE 4300515mN

N38° 51' 12" W110° 48' 14"

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