Colorful animal image on the cave wallDirections: From Austin, Nevada, take US 50 east 13 miles to 376. Take 376 approximately 0.1 miles until you see a dirt road heading to the left. Take this road approximately 12 miles. Near the cave (not really a cave but over hang) is a small National Forest campground. Because visitors have attempted to deface the rock art in the past; a tall fence has been built. All photos of pictographs were taken through the fence. Remember pictographs are painted onto rock surfaces while petroglyphs are carved or scratched.
History: The Western Shoshone were a Native American tribe who lived in central Nevada. At Toquima they painted approximately 300 images which depict abstract, linear, geometric, human and or shapes. Rock art was painted in areas which hold spiritual significance. Around Toquima this was an important hunting area.
The most interesting aspect of rock art is the materials used to create the color and the tools used to create the images. Native Americans used natural materials collected near the area; such as, berries, plant juices, clay, or bird droppings to create the color. They prepared them by crushing, dyeing or cooking the ingredient then they applied the color to the rock with sticks, bones, feathers, or their own fingers. (Thanks to government pamphlet for information).
It is YOUR responsibility to protect rock art for future generations. That means KEEP your hands off the images AND NEVER deface the images.
Snow at 7400 feet near Toquima
The images on the wall
Image showing some of the circular and linear images
Good image showing more of the pictographs
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