Hiking Vogel Canyon

We had stopped at the US Forest Service office in town to check out hiking trails around the area, specifically wanted to hike in Comanche National Grassland - something we have never done is hike in a grassland.  Vogel Canyon seemed to be the best fit and off we went yesterday afternoon.
Overcast skies, but much cooler.  We have been experiencing mid 90's for the last couple of days and did not want to fry ourselves in the sun.

Vogel Canyon has two permanent springs at the bottom of the canyon that helps support a variety of wildlife.  There are 4 hiking trails, all pass through the shortgrass prairie land and juniper trees.  American Indians lived in the canyon hundreds of years ago and left behind rock art that is still visible toady.

I could almost see the stagecoach coming

As we entered the parking area of the Canyon, we stopped and saw the Barlow and Sanderson Stage Road where you can see the ruts of the stagecoaches that once rumbled through the area.

Based on where the rock art is located and seeing ruins, we chose to hike the Overlook trail.  This trail took us along cad zillion juniper trees and the closer to the canyon we got, it felt like we were in Mesa Verde National Park.  Shale and limestone rocks became the scenery, jutting out all over the place.  The Canyon - talk about a wow factor.  Never seeing a canyon like that where there at the bottom of it is a flat area, could see where settlers would be here.  Very pleasing to the eye, plenty of water and grazing land.

Hiked much more than this - maybe close to 3 miles?

Easy overlook trail

Rock formations were awesome

We wondered where the canyon was?

Abundant Juniper trees

The hike was rated moderate, walking to the overlook was quite easy.  Then we hiked down into the canyon and across to see the rock art up close.  At first we did not see the rock art but then you stand back and study it, then it comes to you.  We did see rock art from the lost tribe of Israel.  Dah.

At overlook looking across to rock art (see interpretive signs?)

Rock art - look closely

Looking back to overlook from interpretive signs at rock art

Look right above - lost tribe of Israel found? See Menorah?

Just barely make out the rock art 

Very tall canyon - looking up

Followed the trail along the bottom of the canyon back and stopped and wondered at the ruins we saw.  How did people survive?  Stone foundations that you could definitely tell were hand placed, did not get too close because of the threat of rattlesnakes.

Large cairns marked most of the trail

Perfect grazing area

Meadow looking across

Chimney ruins

Fairly good size shelter

Wondered if someone lived here long time ago?

Trail got a tidge confusing at times - no markings we could see

Continued along the trail, seeing huge cairns placed just far enough ahead that we did not loose our way.  One area of the trail was so covered with debris from the runoff of water, and another area was clogged with tumbleweed.  We knew cows grazed in the area, so so much cow poop!  And could smell them when we were near the springs, phew!  Never saw them.

Spring offered watering hole for cattle

The hike back was quite moderate, sometimes difficult because of moving up and down over the different layers of shale.  We thought that in the springtime when the grasses started to come back from the winter snows, the wildflowers blooming, must be really beautiful.  And of course - a tarantula waved goodbye to us as we were leaving.

Mr. Tarantula came out to say, "Thank you for visiting!"