It’s a paradise hidden against the rocks, and it even comes with water!
Hidden in the Comanche National Grassland is Vogel Canyon. Near La Junta, this valley is well hidden in the depths of the valleys that stretch to the Purgatoire River. This valley holds the history of the Santa Fe Trail and Ancient Hunters.
Vogel Canyon has been used by many throughout history. There are Petroglyphs, Cowboy Signatures, Bullet Holes, 80s Teenage Angst and more engraved on these cliff walls.
This valley was used for hunting Bison, Elk and Antelope centuries ago. Barlow and Sanderson Stage Line, a Santa Fe Trail spur, used this spot as a stop connecting Las Animas and LaJunta circa 1870. Remnants of a stagecoach building remain and can be seen along a Trail. A homestead also remains from settlers who lived there in the 30s. I have included video of the homestead’s remaining ruins and chimney. The use of local stones stacked still remain on the hillside opposite of the engraved cliffs. Other trails have wagon trails and span the upper areas above the valley.
It is obvious as soon as you walk down to the valley and begin up to the carvings why the valley has been used so often by travelers and hunters. The valley carried down as a tributary to the Purgatoire. We walked toward the river for a few hundred yards studying the landscape and valley. There was evidence that an old road that led down to the river. It was closed in the 90s to keep vehicle access out of the area. The place that the sheltering cliffs and carvings lay in the valley is a confluence of two separate small ravines. With the artful cliff face to the East.
Up on the cliffs, there were several carvings from the 20s, as well some from much, much earlier times. The Petroglyphs are there, but are worn away in spots. The drawings were so beautiful, you really must study and look deep to see some of them. The Petroglyphs are a little harder to see than the graffiti, it has weathered for a very long time. A story of the valley left on the walls for what would be an eternity then. I really hope they don’t fade away completely!
The Petroglyphs date to around 300 to 800 years ago according to the US Forest service information site. The carvings are widely ranged from ancient to modern graffiti. Thankfully the area is under surveillance to keep further graffiti from happening. Picture Canyon near Campo was the same as far as past graffiti goes. It has always been human nature to leave a mark. A coalition was enacted in the 90s to stop the vandalism and preserve the history the valley contains. They began prosecuting all those that defaced the valley.
I admit I loved seeing the bullet holes as well. It definitely left me wondering how old the bullet holes were and left my imagination in the middle of an old west gun fight, using the canyon for cover. Then I found a video on YouTube about a rejuvenation project in 2012 explaining the parties that once were in the valley. My 80s brain still wants to believe at least a few of those are the Young Guns of the old west and wonders if at least one of those bullet holes are more than hundred years old, but I doubt it knowing that the canyon was host to wild teenage parties with guns.
The hiking trails we did were a loop back to the picnic ground and were easy other than navigating that cliffside to get up to the carvings. The first trail we did brought us to an overlook of the canyon. The beautiful cliff face across the little valley was just getting the beginning of the afternoon sun, and I recommend getting there a little earlier so that the markings are in the shade and easier to see. Or later in the afternoon when the sun is lower. And watch for Scorpions and Rattlesnakes, especially in the warmer months!
To really see the depth of the carvings and layers of years, I have added to the contrast and shadows of the videos and photos to enhance viewing. The photos will all be uploaded to my blog at notforgottencolorado.blog for better viewing.
Thanks for reading!
*Disclaimer – I’m not a historian, scholar or writer. I aim to honor and remember all the souls and landmarks I encounter in my explorations. Sharing these helps to keep their memory from fading away. I do my best to find information and I’m always open to edits and corrections when needed. I would never post anything incorrectly with harmful intent. Cemeteries are full of stories, sometimes I can find them, sometimes I can’t.
Be respectful if visiting any of the places I share. These places won’t be around forever, especially if not treated with the utmost in respect. Other than picking up obvious trash, we do not alter any of the gravesites we visit. Please keep in mind that some trinkets are left as honor, not disrespect.
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