Trip Recap
The sage covered grasslands and cultivated fields between Maupin & The Dalles were a vibrant green; lifting our spirits as nine ASCO members drove through intermittent rain and low clouds to Columbia Hills State Park where we met esteemed archaeologist Jim Keyser.
For the next three hours, Jim guided and talked us through a walk along the “Temani Pesh-Wah” and “She Who Watches” Trails.
It was an unforgettable journey through the petroglyphs and pictographs of the Columbian Plateau; made even more enjoyable by a pause in the rain.
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Rock Art “She Who Watches” & “Temani Pesh-Wah”
Leader: Jim Keyser
Friday, May 5, 2023
Registration Opens : Friday April 21st
Limited to 20 Participants
Coordinator: Bob TImmer, bobtimmer@yahoo.com
The "She Who Watches" and "Temani Pesh-Wah" trails at Horsethief Lake in Columbia Hills State Park (WA) provide access to the premier collection of Columbia River rock art still available for viewing in the area. Both pictographs and petroglyphs occur along these trails.
Anthropomorphs, animal figures, and geometric images occur in great numbers, with some of the most famous images in the Columbia Plateau. The following is ASCO's trip description from 2019:
ASCO enjoyed a fascinating visit with the esteemed archaeologist, Jim Keyser. With a stream of fact and theory, Jim expertly guided and talked us through a walk along the “She Who Watches” and “Temani Pesh-Wah” Trails.
This famous trail is an unforgettable introduction to the pictographs and petroglyphs of the Columbian Plateau. Fanciful human and animal figures and geometric images abound in the rocks along the half mile trek - all within a few hundred yards of the Columbia River.
Most of the art dates from 1700 to 1840 and portrays mystical and religious motifs. There’s a mixture of mortuary art, Shamanism, vision quest, and hunting images. Jim strongly believes the white man’s introduction of small pox and the tragic havoc it unleashed on the tribes plays heavily into the dark spiritual themes of the rock imagery.
We will meet Jim Keyser at Columbia Hills State Park at 11:15AM. The tour lasts about 2 1/2 plus hours, leaving much of the afternoon to explore the area on your own.
Driving Instructions
For those wishing to convoy from Bend, we will meet at 8:00AM between the Chick-fil-A and the Cracker Barrel (closed) restaurant across highway 97 from Target and the Cascade Village Shopping Center, for the 2 1/2 hour drive. This will give a few minutes to refresh before gathering with Jim Keyser at Columbia Hills State Park.
Please do not participate if you are experiencing Covid symptoms, have tested positive for Covid, or have had contact with someone with Covid or with symptoms within the preceding week.
Questions, contact Bob TImmer, Trip Coordinator, at bobtimmer@yahoo.com
