May-June
Parowan Gap
A short stopover before heading to Great Basin National Park.
Located in southwestern Utah, Parowan Gap is a historical site rich in ancient petroglyphs and geological formations. The Gap is believed to have served as a significant transportation corridor for Native American tribes and pioneers. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the petroglyphs at Parowan Gap are estimated to be around 1,000 to 1,500 years old, depicting various animals, human-like figures, and geometric shapes. These petroglyphs provide a glimpse into the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the early inhabitants of the region (source: Bureau of Land Management). Today, Parowan Gap is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and history enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the art and history etched into the rocks centuries ago. AI
The Parowan Gap is a stream-cut valley and narrows through the Red Hills, located just west of Little Salt Lake, north of Cedar City, Utah. Here are some key details about its history:
Geological History
The Red Hills, made up of sedimentary rock formations like the Navajo Sandstone (where the petroglyphs are carved), first underwent mountain-building during the Sevier Orogeny 45-100 million years ago when the Pacific tectonic plate collided with the North American plate.
A stream then carved the passage through the uplifted Red Hills, creating the Parowan Gap.
Beginning around 20 million years ago, Basin and Range extension caused the Red Hills fault block to rise further, blocking off the stream's passage westward and forming Little Salt Lake (now a dry playa).
Wind and rain erosion over time shaped the gap into the narrow pass seen today.
Human History
Native American groups like the Fremont culture, ancestors of the Southern Paiute and Hopi, traveled through the Parowan Gap and created over 1,500 petroglyphs pecked into the Navajo sandstone over centuries. Some may be as old as 5,000 years.
The petroglyphs feature geometric designs, animals like snakes and lizards, human figures and more. Their exact meanings are unknown but may have related to rituals, stories or events.
The Old Spanish Trail trade route also passed through the area in the early 1800s.
Mormon pioneers led by Parley P. Pratt discovered the area in 1850, leading to the establishment of Parowan in 1851 as part of the "Iron Mission" to produce iron for early Utah settlements.
So in summary, the Parowan Gap's geological origins stretch back millions of years, while its human history involves ancient Native American travelers leaving their mark through the famous petroglyphs as well as later exploration by Spanish traders and Mormon settlers. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/parowan-gap-history-zdKfqGe6RbegO9jXv4Nhdw
Next stop: Great Basin National Park