In Search of Ancient Dragons in Black Dragon Canyon!

#exploring #nativeamerican #explore #ebike #utah #rockart #petroglyphs
🌟 If you want to see my videos early, bonus content, and 3D models of sites that I visit on my trips, please support me on Patreon!
➡️ / jefftjohnson
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Sources: Drone: Do and Dont Guidebook
www.blm.gov/sites/default/fil...
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I hope you enjoyed this adventure! It means so much to me that you spent the time watching it. If you enjoyed this, please consider subscribing. I strive to bring relatively unknown, odd, unique, and special places to you each week from the American Southwest!
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👍How to be a respectful visitor to these places👍
Native American groups still live in this area and beyond today. These places are still special and hold significance.
1️⃣Don't climb on walls or structures. Don't lean on or climb over them. Many places don't even need to be visited up close. View these places from a distance or with binoculars.
2️⃣Do not touch the rock art. Don't touch or create new rock art to preserve ancient stories.
3️⃣ Leave All Artifacts. Leave artifacts and structures undisturbed to maintain their historical significance. It is illegal and wrong to take artifacts. If you want something to take home, support local tribes by buying their handicrafts and jewelry.
4️⃣ Manage Waste Responsibly. Use waste bags; don't leave human or pet waste behind. Don't 'go' near cultural sites.
5️⃣ Camp With Care. Don't camp near historical sites. No fires near these areas, and ensure all waste is packed out. Don't make fires in caves or alcoves. Camp in designated spots only. When you leave, make sure to make the site cleaner and better than when you found it. Pick up extra trash you may see.
6️⃣ Control Your Pets. Don't let pets roam freely near archaeological areas to prevent destruction. Pets are not allowed in or near sites.
7️⃣ Preserve Fragile Areas. Don't disturb fossils and please protect delicate soil and plant life.
8️⃣ Follow Rules. Don't engage in illegal actions such as building cairns, or using climbing gear to access archaeological sites.
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NOTE: I don't claim that I am the first person to "discover" these places. I just find things on Google Earth and want to go see what they are!
I do not claim to be an expert on anthropology, geology, or archaeology. I say that my channel is about "amateur archaeology". I don't have a degree or formal training in archaeology. I am just a hiker who loves to explore and see new things especially the ancient history in the American Southwest. This is what my channel is about. I hope you stick around and explore with me!
I do not give out locations to the places in my videos. I take seriously the responsibility to protect and respect these ancient places. If you do find/visit one of these locations, please visit respectfully. I try my best to hide noticeable landmarks, mountains, and canyons in my videos.
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[@blakedurrant9399]

That's definitely a Canadian Goose. Infinitely more terrifying than some dumb lizard.

[@lauriertripp7064]

A 'Canadian goose' is any goose from Canada. The 'Canada Goose' is a particular species of goose known for their bad behaviour in public parks.

[@K9River]

You're not wrong! Lol

[@SaddleLight]

@@lauriertripp7064hopped in to say the exact same thing 😂

[@michaeltaylor4984]

You nevah heya bout Godzirra?

[@TheTrekPlanner]

haha right?

[@1_tuff_mama277]

Your content is fantastic, Jeff! My family watches your videos together, and we all thoroughly enjoy them. My kids are teens, so you're reaching a tough audience :) Keep up the great work!

[@devinb5937]

I agree. I watch with my wife and my wife’s boyfriend. All three of us love the desert southwest and all of the history it holds! Thanks Jeff!!

[@Winstonrodney6989]

@@devinb5937If your wife and her boyfriend ever plan a trip to the southwest you should ask them if you could come along.

[@legacyXplore]

Love this comment. Sounds like a trip to the southwest is in order before those teens get to old :). That’s assuming of course it’s not something you guys already do. My oldest is a Freshman in high school this year and have two younger and I battle every year to make the trip Yellowstone, or Glacier, or stuff like this and I lose to boring beaches haha.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Wow! That IS a tough audience to reach but I am THRILLED they are watching (and of course you too!). Tell your family I said "hi" 🙂

[@1_tuff_mama277]

@@TheTrekPlanner Will do, thank you! Your format lends itself to viewing by a wide audience - interesting, easily-watchable length, different locations/subjects and a great host 👍 They are a tough audience, indeed; keep 'em coming & we'll (all) be here!

[@boomerang379]

I’ve stopped at that truck stop behind you more times than I can remember coming from Muleshoe Texas on my way to deliver corn to a dairy in Burley Idaho. I love the four corners region. My love for that area brought me to your channel. I don’t drive a truck anymore so I have to live vicariously through your KZbin content 😊

[@TheTrekPlanner]

That drive on I-70 is one of my favorites. Especially right through the Swell. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@tedpreston4155]

"You just can't capture that with a picture!" That describes most of the majestic locations in southern Utah!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

So true, Ted!

[@dirkvanerp7332]

My advice? Don't try to "Chase the Dragon!" It never ends well!

[@Philip-gn8wx]

No "keeping up with the Jones!" You will always die trying to catch up 💀!!!

[@joyfullone3968]

The Welsh have a dragon on their flag, I have one in my room as my mother was Welsh.

[@Janer-52]

Great ride, great finds. I love exploring with you! You broaden my appreciation for ancient cultures, and allow me to see things I'd never get to in real life.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

You are going to love the next few videos coming out! I have never seen anything like it! ;-)

[@Holcroft1969]

It's Saturday afternoon, so it must be time for adventures with Jeff.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thanks for letting me be part of your Saturday morning! 🙂

[@BillyJ244]

That looked like it was really fun. I enjoyed watching it. Area stupid. Lol.. The canyon was amazing!! I can imagine how life was there thousands of years ago. It looks like it has been well traveled throughout the millennia. I wish we could see what happened there way back in time. I'm sure it would be quite a show. Truly amazing.

[@donwagner7395]

Very enjoyable venture thru an amazingly scenic canyon. The pictographs are quite stunning, especially the coyote or wolf. Sad to see the desecration of irreplaceable and extremely ancient art. Thank you for this wonderful trip.

[@jennifersiegrist8440]

Wow, that canyon is amazing. My son just received an electric bicycle, it is so much fun to ride. Thank you for taking us along, love the trek notes too ❤❤❤

[@davidpankoke7512]

At the 20 min mark where "Black Dragon" is written on the rock with the arrow pointing to the jagged ridge line, that appears to be a dragon when viewed from a little further distance. If you stop at the rest area (Black Dragon Canyon Viewpoint) on I70, you can see this "dragon". Keep up the good work! I enjoy your videos.

[@PigeonLaughter01]

Oh I see it now, the Ridgeline looks like a dragons back.

[@shaynejenkins446]

That why its called black dragon. not because of the pictographs.

[@tomasviane3844]

I can see it as well. Makes more sense than this pictograph.

[@PatriciaRodriguez-vn6cv]

Mucho fun. I like the thought of the “dog” pictograph looking toward Sun or Moon. I so very much dislike when people ruin these things for us and future searchers of history. Thanks again for another fun run.

[@Janet-in-the-attic]

I really enjoy when you share the trip on the way to the trek. This was fascinating. Thank you!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you for coming along, Janet!

[@islaannisainsworth4443]

Beautiful canyon. 😲❤️🙋‍♀️ People DO NOT TOUCH, DO NOT DESTROY. 😡

[@americandeadhead5025]

Maybe that's what the elders thought too. The shown glyphs aren't from the same culture. One came along later, saw what the first culture did, then left some too. Would you have told the second culture "do not touch"? If a modern person wants to add to the human story too with a modern handprint in a respectful way that isn't wrong. It would just be 3 cultures that left art behind.

[@richardp6461]

@@americandeadhead5025 If you cover up or alter what is there, Important info could be lost. I can tell you don't care about that, but please don't spoil it for the rest of humanity.

[@bigshow5173]

Who doesn't like or subscribe? I look forward to every Saturday morning for a desert adventure, seeing all the places and things from past times making you wonder about life back then.

[@devinb5937]

Seriously! My wife and her boyfriend love laying around on saturdays and catching Jeff’s videos! Thanks Jeff!!!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thanks to yourwife and her boyfriend for watching! 🙂@@devinb5937

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I would love to go back in time to see just how many people were living or travelling through this area. I bet it would surprise us!

[@lindabriggs5118]

Whoo-hooo! My old stomping grounds! I love this area and used to live just west of the San Rafael Swell. Can't tell you how much time my family and I would drive and hike around here. Happy times! 😁🏜⛺️🌄🌞🎉🪁 I wanted to add: back in my college days, during my archeological studies, my instructor was discussing the rock art in the area and why many think as to why the caulk outlines. Many tend to think, that back in the days of early photography, the photographer did that to make the pictographs "stand out" so as to make it be seen better on the primarily black and white film at the time. I don't know if it's true, it was just a view point at the time. Also, if one goes down the Buckhorn Draw in the Swell, there is a huge rock art panel on the North side. If one looks, up on the upper right hand there is some old graffiti. It was put there by John Wesley Powell. Powell was one of the first explorer's to map that area and the Grand Canyon.

[@dr.a006]

I’ve been to Buckhorn wash many times. My dad was born and raised in Emery County so we always visited relatives there or hunt or explore the desert and surrounding mountains.

[@eceertrey1]

Edwin Fred Sutherland from Boulder Colorado born 1884 signed that rock @ 14:29 in 1911. He was 27 years old. So awesome.

[@lorettamcgee969]

It's a calendar history, right in front of your eyes!! WOW!!!😊

[@karronjoy1981]

This is my favorite video yet. Such unique rock art. I haven’t seen anything like it before. The one “square with antennas” reminds me of a tv or computer. Thank you for doing the traveling for us to be able to experience. Lol.

[@primarytrainer1]

thank you for highlighting the vandalism and included helpful notes about hiking with care. i feel so heartbroken over damage to the local area that i never realized was happening until that person tried to steal (and ultimately destroy dinosaur tracks just outside of moab). getting the word out there to handle with care is so important

[@kellyradcliff1989]

Chuck from OH. I didn't do any popcorn but I am on a pot of coffee. Great hike to see some great petroglyphs and it's a shame people feel the need to alter the way they originally looked . Thank you so much for having us along so early in the morning not all your prescribers are young pups like myself n just jump on a e bike n go on a trek so early in the morn . Lol I'm just kidding. Chuck from OH. Till next time.👊

[@MellissaAspey]

I don't know any other channel that had this amazing footage. Love it!

[@SwampyColorado420]

Amazing. I love artifacts and fossils.☮️

[@backpackingonline]

I like your american southwest tour more than any other because you get off the beaten track and show us great stuff and you use your ebike. In many ways the ebike makes less impact on the land.

[@oldtop4682]

LOL - I've been in that gas station several times. Interesting place. I didn't know about Black Dragon Canyon till today - I'll go visit on my next trip out to Moab!

[@svharken6907]

what a great video, very well put together .... you're equipment and knowledge increasing ... super good one!

[@frankmacleod2565]

18:12 Dude this is amazing. You have no idea how much I want to be doing this right now instead of writing this report for the state all day. Thanks to whoever gave you the bike!!! Looks like a lot of fun

[@devinb5937]

You sound like my wife’s boyfriend. He let work consume his life. We slowly showed him hiking and the desert southwest. Now he is hooked and works remotely now.

[@frankmacleod2565]

@@devinb5937 your wife's boyfriend?

[@devinb5937]

@@frankmacleod2565 yeah, Dominic is a great man. I hope you can get some time away from work and experience some time outdoors. My wife, Dominic and I are doing a camping in Utah this month. Sound be a fun time 😃

[@frankmacleod2565]

@@devinb5937 Hey thanks. Fortunately my job as an archaeologist gets me out a lot, I surveyed over a thousand acres last month and have another couple thousand on my plate currently, entailing long drives across the state to remote areas and private ranches. Unfortunately that work requires report writing..... so these videos come in handy.... I hope you have fun in Utah, that is probably the most amazing state in America

[@devinb5937]

@@frankmacleod2565 ooo sounds amazing! The three of us always have a fun time together. Dominic is a very kind and passionate lover. Strong and steady.

[@c.h.9193]

The Coyotee looked like he was howling at the moon! Another great trip.

[@YewtBoot]

Thanks for returning to this area to show us. It was all exciting, as always, but I particularly enjoyed the enhancement techniques to see the pictographs in a more ancient sense. Yep, it's two persons and another snake-like one. Enjoyed immensely.

[@gordonmiles9995]

These pictographs provide the perfect proof that man existed with the dinosaurs.

[@lnbjr7]

Your bike rides often have me sitting on the edge of my chair… that you were able to publish this video means you got home alter this trip! Safe Journeys!

[@Shadoweknows76]

😂

[@otterwench]

Thank you!!!!! I let myself imagine riding down that 'tickle-belly' road with you and was giggling right along with you. My husband looked at me strangely (he is not a fan of uncertain surfaces) but indulged me LOL. Until motorized wheelchairs become more sturdy, this is as close as I will get to what I used to love to do, so I am very grateful!

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

I'm glad you got the t-shirt. That was hilarious! Another great video!

[@stevenbennett9455]

The iconic Hairy Eyeball glyph

[@jodybryant1752]

More great places to visit, with Bike no less! Sounds like a golf cart. You did good driving!!!!! The Scenery is phenomenal in This part of our beautiful state. Awe thank you 🌍🤗🇺🇸

[@marahaven]

Very cool! Looks like lots of the mountain maybe crumbing down. Maybe that’s why there wasn’t any more wall petroglyphs.

[@lynnquinn7244]

That is what I was thinking... at around 17:30, there is a massive amount of fallen rock. Maybe there are pictographs under that pile!

[@19bishop56]

I agree! Thought the same.

[@kellyradcliff1989]

Jeff I just got up . I got get some coffee on n I'm going to try the popcorn thing . I'll get back with 👊

[@BASEguy955]

Black Dragon is a great BASE jump!! Tons of these odd/cool pictographs all over the canyon walls in the region.

[@cmmc3400]

As an artist who finds this facinating, I discovered the "long bodies" are people wrapped in blankets or "robes". Also, the "dragon" is most likely the god from the forth location of four.

[@johnnyvomit]

Kool to see the drone footage of you biking!!!

[@jajw1990]

I love this area, I have been there many times. Fun fact: After visiting Black Dragon Canyon one day, my hubby and I stopped at a rest stop on 1-70 to find an Indian women selling jewelry. We told her we had just visited the Black Dragon art. She laughed and told us the "dragon" picture actually depicts someone saying "I went to the river and saw a bird". We all laughed. Now when I visit the area I tell my kids the story about the the dragon picture... it's most likely just a bird by the river. Love your videos!

[@teressarenslow5992]

This was so cool! I've probably driven past there several times and never stopped. I couldn't do the hike anyway... So thanks for bringing us! Stay safe!

[@sandradanforth8524]

Thank you. Thank you, thank you, that was great fun. I love to see the different rock formations. And you make it special. Till next time 😊

[@PurplePotash]

I love that old style wooden fence.

[@rorygalusha5549]

This is so cool. I'm taking my ebike out today in Anza Borrego to see some pictographs.

[@johnsalisbury4330]

OMG, these pictographs are amazing!!

[@abbynormal2111]

Looked like a goose to me also. Thank you for another great adventure!

[@alliebeardontwalk8463]

Could the alcove painting be some kind of ancient map? So cool! Thank you for highlighting these ancient treasures!

[@richardhoover4471]

Amazing sights in that canyon. Thanks always for reminding folks NOT to deface, vandalize, or otherwise mar anything left by previous cultures. They are too precious!

[@Brisleep1]

Jeff, I really liked the software you used to show the original image of what they probably looked like, I'd love to see more of that!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you, Brian! I will incorporate it as much as possible going forward!!

[@Relaxbadkneeadventures]

👍😉🇳🇱 have a great weekend

[@vlakslee]

Thanks for taking us along again. I always enjoy your adventures.

[@lovesloudcars]

Jeff I love the new release time for your Saturday videos so I can watch them before I get to work.

[@Komainu959]

Hey I stayed in Green River when I went to Goblin Valley and then on to Arches and Monument Valley.

[@mcridr08]

I was there on a motorcycle about 20 years ago and was in awe of all the rock art. Thanks for bringing back those memories.

[@elizabethpaints]

Wow that was so much fun! Loved going into the canyon with you. Thank you for showing us the petroglyphs. It is frustrating and infuriating that someone thought they were doing everyone a favor by chalking it. They defaced artwork, and for me, robbed me of having a total experience when viewing it. Thanks for showing us the work through the filter. The 'Black Dragon' piece is really screwed up. The artist I think wanted to show an event that happened. We'll never know. Great video!

[@jeffhinchee6080]

I watch the videos and it makes want to go explore. Its like a wake up that there is a whole world out there! You are very much appreciated.

[@kendiholloway2378]

Stunning views thank you for showing us these treasures.

[@katesutton1476]

Good adventure. Beautiful place. Much luv Carry on

[@doriswlongAgoandfarAway]

Those birds flying up at the end - wow!

[@graceface8720]

Thank you! How amazing to be out there alone with all that history, and record of catastrophe to study up close. Some of those rocks are also what to be looking for because they might be petrified Giants and parts of other petrified life. Mudfossils, etc. I loved the bike ride. Kept thinking the dragon may be absolutely huge and petrified. Keep Going!

[@lindalawver40]

Hey,I'm new to your channel! Love your videos and your enthusiasm as well. Please keep showing us these awesome places 😊

[@jameswellborn7242]

DANG MAN, THAT PLACE IS WICKED COOL

[@gracepeterson7483]

"Riding" with you is so fun. What a great adventure. I was worried about you slipping on those rocks. I'm glad you were safe. 💚

[@redtobertshateshandles]

The spirits of the canyon. They look like stone with feet.

[@debbiebrunssen8773]

Amazing ! Wish I could walk in your shoes sometimes , but enjoy seeing it threw your lenses

[@simultaneity8014]

Thankyou Jeff this was really great.I love your respect for this Native American culture.There is another KZbin guy that finds stuff on google.He said he might have found a monolith that turned out to be just a rock. you might check his video out because his drone flys past some ruins that he ether missed or doesn't care about.

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks Jeff for taking me along again, thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@mikewatts3615]

Neat bike

[@mstewart9231]

I love all of your videos and your values. You take care of and promote the care of these sites. I havent seen these before. Thank you.

[@lcg5790]

Dang just couldn't see a dragon in that pictograph. I've never heard of one with flat feet.

[@suemick8709]

Thank you so much Jeff. I love your content for too many reasons to list. Outstanding again!

[@dorinclarisa2732]

Thank you for taking me along with you. 😊😊😊 I love to see where the native Americans lived. Its a shame that the land they fought so hard to keep. Was abandoned or stolen. Lovely scenery. The drawings tell a story. The hand prints they left behing. The buildings on the edge of the cliff. Heart stopping. They must have been a great people. 🎉❤.

[@19bishop56]

They still are!

[@artlife6210]

What an epic Trek man, beautiful examples of ancient artworks. What many dont realize is back when these were drawn there was zero ambient light, and some of the artists were likely drawing galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. These and the animal and anthropomorphic figures were their way of recording what they saw in the sky. That being said, some of the stuff they drew is eerie and mysterious, especially the tall alien-like humanoids. What compelled them to draw humanoids while observing the night sky? Cheers!!

[@markfox548]

It is however absolutely beautiful

[@artsimpson3670]

Aloha ahi ahi ka ko a pau, and Mahalo Jeff. You're a fine artist and that is the appeal for you impressions and personality.

[@jazzrat2000]

Not just a goose, a silly goose, you silly goose!!

[@davidhale1850]

love the drone shots of your trek in...

[@inezwatson6192]

It is so sad that people are so selfish in that they have to destroy history.. I've yet to understand why.. thank you for another awesome journey..

[@devinb5937]

I agree. One of my wife’s boyfriends works for the BLM and he has told us some wild stories. People can be extremely destructive. It’s sad.

[@user-ph9jg2vz6m]

But your ok with the original people writing that graffiti all those years ago?

[@akster8434]

Thanks for taking us on this adventure!

[@SMMBHQ-cg2zy]

there is a lot more to be discovered and debated in these images you depict , wonderful and magnificent

[@senorblondie]

Cool to see the art pop out with the aDStretch technology. You should incorporate it on all the shots of art you share.

[@tomasviane3844]

That wavy, trunk-like piece of the dragon pictograph looks more like a map of the canyon...

[@markfox548]

By the way thank you very much for doing what you do and sharing this fabulous information with us. I really appreciate it.

[@liliannison6262]

Merci pour vos promenades archéologiques, géologiques et sportives dans la région magique qu'est l'Utah !

[@mikolfarley]

17:27 uh-huh huh uh-huh uh-huh! Haha lmao 😂 Glad to see you out there having a blast dude! Great stuff my guy! Thanks for taking your time to show those of us that aren't able to get out there. I'm from NC & would LOVE to stay close to that part of the US. #StaySafe

[@pixelpeter3883]

Looks like riding an electric bike on those backroads is a lot of fun ... plus it certainly beats having to walk all that!!!

[@debbiejohnson2486]

Very cool. Wish I was there!

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

I love this!!! The whole ride, I was imagining doing this with my grandson. He’s 15 months! I bet he would laugh the whole ride! Thanks again for bringing us along on your adventure! I think the trail cams are a great idea! Really interesting pictographs. I like to take screenshots of them so I can peruse them closely later.

[@jefftarwood4594]

I really enjoy your channel. Takes me places I will never see in person.

[@lucasb1324]

Yes, the radio was really good! 😁

[@michaelturner6425]

Hi! Jeff, I have been watching you're adventures for a number of month's and I must say you're doing a great service for Americas First People , you have as much curiosity of you're country as the great Luther Cressman . This is from a guy who lives in Brittany France , not far from an ancient place called Carnac which has some crazy old History. Keep up the great work you are doing for everyone.

[@kayetaylor5551]

I love this Saturday 🎉❤so many of my fav. Content creators have supply me great videos❤❤THANKYOU

[@noonehere1793]

Your production and editing skills are getting better with each new episode…..well done sir!👍👍🙂

[@islaannisainsworth4443]

Thanks!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you so much for your direct support of my channel!! -Jeff

[@armysapper12b]

I grew up in that area, a lot of memories of the shenanigans during my high school days. A lot of parties north of there. 😊

[@jordynglada4134]

Hey Jeff, nice Impala

[@somebody2018]

Nice t shirt! Well this was an interesting excursion. Those elongated pictures of people look like maybe they were wearing robes. Also the rectangle with lines on it on the bodies just kind of reminds me of a tv screen. Weird. Very beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this stuff with us.

[@mclego84]

Dear Mountain Dew, please sponsor Jeff! He is awesome❤ That is all.

[@ShirleeKnott]

Let's keep the community interaction busy feeding the algorithm , leave a comment, a reply or likes to them 👍