NOTE: We are now at Big Bend. We have no cell phone service and spotty WIFI from the park store. Hope all is well in the outside world…lol
Wednesday, January 31 – After getting set up at Seminole Canyon Campground just outside Comstock, TX, we relaxed outside until about 3 p.m. It was then time to head to the Visitor's Center for the Fate Bell Shelter Pictograph guided tour. It is a ranger guided tour that departs twice daily, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The only way visitors are permitted to visit the floor of the canyon is by going on this tour. The cost is $5 per person, BUT the price increases to $8 per person on February 1, 2018. So by going today instead of tomorrow as we originally planned, we saved $6.
There were 12 people on the tour plus our ranger guide. We walked down about a mile's worth of switchback trail and steps to the canyon floor.
Tonya our ranger guide.
Lots of steps but not bad at all.
This area was used 4000 years ago by nomadic Indian tribes traveling and hunting in the area. The Fate Bell Shelter is thought to be one of the oldest cave dwellings in North America. There are four areas of pictograph figures that are simply amazing. Protecting these drawings is the reason for limiting visitors to guided tours. You do have to climb several sets of stairs and scramble over some rocky cliffs to see the pictographs up close.
The floor of the Canyon is beautiful. Solid Texas limestone.
We had to climb more steps to get to the Fate Bell Annex. The first of the pictographs. Over 35 researchers have tried to find the meanings of these drawings. No one to this day knows exactly what they mean.
Once we entered Fate Bell Shelter, we noticed mats on the floor. The ranger explained that the rubber mats helped control dust which effects the breakdown of the pictographs.
Up more steps to the Shelter.
Mats for protection.
Looking out of the Shelter into the canyon.
Of course, the return up the 200 foot cliff to the Visitor's Center involves climbing many stairs and uphill switchbacks, but everyone in our group completed the hike without any problems.
Be aware that almost everything in this environment bites, stings, or scratches. All the bushes have thorns. On our hike, we hurried past several very active bee colonies. Fortunately, we didn't see anything that bites, but were warned the javelinas in the area are pretty aggressive.
Active bee’s hive.
We had a beautiful sunset tonight. The night sky was DARK! This area is known for it's dark night skies.
We had a great time on the very informative Fate Bell Shelter tour. We highly recommend it to any visitor. We have several days of hiking planned during our five days at Seminole Canyon, so y’all come back and see what interesting things we find in the area.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.
