It was on my mind and then an opportunity came. After inviting myself along, I went out on Wednesday with two friends who were going to be scouting a nighttime photo shoot. I don't know why, since I'm not really a social hiker, but going with other people motivated me just enough, to actually do it. Who knows how long it would have been otherwise.
I had wanted to see at least some, and one panel in particular, of the petroglyphs, that had eluded me on previous trip(s?).
The drive was long, but since I had been making a lot of long drives lately, it didn't seem too bad. The last few miles past where I had parked for Chappel Peak, I even thought the roads were actually pretty good.
After parking near the cone's southeast side and getting out of our respective vehicles (social distancing in effect). I saw one friend putting on his high boots and snake gaiters while regaling us with stories of his most recent rattlesnake encounters. I then opted for a pair of old mid hikers I had in the truck, rather than low ones I had on.
Almost immediately after, we were on our way up the bare rock of the cone directly toward the most well known panel( and the one I had most wanted to see) located somewhat treacherously in a recessed flat face of one of several large boulders that seem poised to slide off the mountain.
While the photographer worked out his plan, I wandered alone toward the east. Out of earshot of the others (of course) I heard a loud rattle, and then saw under a boulder, one of the namesake denizens of this Rattlesnake Peak (Providence Cone's alternate name). I gave wide berth, and then proceeded to do the same for the other boulders I passed as well. Shortly thereafter, I saw a blue truck parked by the playa on east side of the cone, and thought it strange, as is the case whenever I encounter anyone else in the remote places I go. Then, I saw a man with a blue bucket and long metal grabber and I knew exactly what he was doing.
I told him where I had just seen a snake, and then a little while later guided him to it. He thanked me and I walked on to the base of the mountain. I heard a lot of rattling and when I looked up, he held a fat two and half foot western diamondback aloft by the tail and then lowered it head first into the bucket.
I found the panels of easily accessible glyphs lower down and then went in search of more higher up again when my two friends re-joined me.
We found a few more and then went out to the rock outcroppings west of the cone, where there was one more to be seen.
The whole trip, while pleasant with beautiful weather (blowing dust had been predicted), seemed a little mercenary (for I knew I could be led to exactly what I wanted to see) and social and had me longing for more of my usual fare of solitary discovery. The photographer friend, at one point, was talking about the wonderful rock art sites at Alamo Mountain and seemed surprised that I had never been. This was almost identical to a conversation I had with another photographer friend a couple of years ago who told me " you've got to go (to Alamo Mountain)" and I replied without a whole a lot thought, but perhaps a personal truth, " it's just not as much fun if I know it's there." I know I'm not usually the only discoverer of the places I find, but if it feels like it to me, that's all that matters. Like the lines from the Robert Service poem The Spell of the Yukon: "Yet it isn't the gold that I'm wanting So much as just finding the gold." I'm an old prospector at heart.
Hi Devon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the excellent post. Providence Cone has been on my list since reading your first post about visiting the site. Wasn't there a mastodon rub at Providence Cone too, or am I misremembering?
I hope the comment isn't inappropriate, but I wanted to caution against disclosing the locations of wildlife to collectors. Western diamondback rattlesnakes are pretty common, but there are unfortunately many poachers who illegally collect rock rattlesnakes (a species I am passionate about) for sale and even export, and they are active in New Mexico. As Providence Cone is national monument land, I believe all wildlife collecting there is illegal. I'd advise anyone witnessing the collection of snakes on national park lands to contact park rangers or law enforcement, when possible. Though I suspect very little would be done, I believe it is important to set a cultural precedent.
Thank you again and I hope all has been well with you. It's been wonderful seeing the variety of blooms you've posted recently!
Unfortunately, even though Providence Cone is within the monument, it is entirely on New Mexico State Trust Land, where rules different from the federal apply. Although, since hunting and trapping are allowed on the Monument, I believe that collecting is probably allowed too, with the exception of course of threatened or endangered species.. They need a permit if it is commercial collecting and they also need public lands habitat and access stamps from NMDGF. New Mexico Game and Fish allows for collection of reptiles, although they do have annual bag limits. I checked and the limit for Western Diamondback is 20. I'm assuming this person has all this knowledge and was acting in accordance with the policies and laws. My feeling personally is that snakes should be left alone. But it would be hypocritical of me ( because I fish) or the people who were with me ( who hunt) to immediately assume this man was a poacher( I don't think he was) or operating illegally. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to come up to me while I was trout fishing in the Gila and make all sorts of assumptions about my activity that may not even be true.
ReplyDeleteThey are rubbing rocks out there, but they are not as impressive as those in the Doña Anas where I am still planning on taking you.
Thanks Stephen for your comment. I never mind being challenged by reasonable people.
Thank you for the thoughtful reply and for educating me about this. I had not realized hunting and trapping within the Monument is allowed. I also hunt with my falconry birds and grew up fishing and hunting, and can definitely appreciate how frustrating it would be to be baselessly accused of poaching.
ReplyDeleteI still look forward to getting out into the Dona Anas with you when it can be done safely. Until then be safe and be well.
Devon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your posts and for sharing such beautiful places. I have seen so many petroglyphs over the years and seen so much damage, more so now than in past years it seems. I am going out to find some petroglyphs in the Doña Anas that have red ochre paint next week.
Marcos check out these blogs:
ReplyDeletehttps://southernnewmexicoexplorer.blogspot.com/2017/02/dona-ana-mountains.html
https://southernnewmexicoexplorer.blogspot.com/2020/02/dona-ana-mountains.html