Welcome to Little (and Big) Indian Rock, one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in the Northeast. Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a harder rock to chip away an exposed softer rock. Located on the islands of the Susquehanna River just south of the Safe Harbor Dam between York and Lancaster counties, these cultural treasures, which are accessible only by water, are believed to be by an Algonquian Indian tribe created 500 - 1,000 years ago. Petroglyphs are not art. They are sacred images that represent significant cultural themes, messages and/or beliefs to a tribe.
If you launch from Safe Habor Park, the first island that you will encounter is the smaller of the two islands, Little Indian Rock (cache coordinates). Getting on the island can be challenging depending on river conditions. Here you will find a dense collection of carvings depicting a large variety of petroglyphs. Some of the main focal points are the graceful curving form of the Manitou spirit, a god-like being, along with animal, thunderbird, and human figures. Parallel wavy lines, perhaps representing snakes, are thought to be directional markers, possibly pointing to the position of sunrise on the Equinox. Another curvy serpent aligns itself with the location of sunset on the summer solstice and sunrise on the winter solstice.
The next island, Big Indian Rock, can be found at virtual stage 01. It is an elongated "island", mostly smooth, devoid of large amounts of vegetation and slopes downward in the direction of the dam. The southern end of the island offers a suitable location out of the river’s steady current to disembark. The most prominent petroglyphs on Big Indian Rock are a primitive human stick figure with angled horns coming out of both sides of its head (like my MIL), turkey tracks, other human-like figures and a thunderbird. You will also observe later carvings including people’s names, initials, dates and a large dove. Note: this "modern" graffiti, although old, is not significant/relevant for logging purposes.
Depending on the angle of the sun, visitors could be standing right in front of a carving and not know it. The best viewing times are near sunrise or sunset when the sun’s slanted rays create shadows along the edges of the carvings. To reveal the carvings, take along a sponge to stamp around the edges or a plastic gallon jug to pour water on them. It could also be helpful, prior to or during your visit to the islands (cell reception poor or non-existent depending on carrier), to reference the two sketches mapping out the petroglyphs on the islands. See images.
Logging requirements:
1. Take a picture of a petroglyph on Little Indian Rock and include it in your log. Please include in the picture your GPS device, an appendage belonging to you (body, head, hand, foot... you get the idea) or an item connecting you to the picture (personal trackable, signature swag, geo-name on an index card, etc)
AND
2. Take a picture of a petroglyph on Big Indian Rock and include it in your log. Same picture requirement small print applies as above.
Visiting as part of a group? Please make sure the pictures attached to your log are unique to you.
Exercise caution if Safe Harbor Dam is releasing water, as conditions may become erratic. Stay alert for the flashing warning lights and sirens. Participate "at your own risk".
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.