Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site
May 3, 2019
revised: Oct. 6, 2020
Medicine Lodge State Archeological Site is both a popular Wyoming state park with camping and an archeological site _1_ . The archeological site is located near the small town of Hyattville Wyoming west of the Bighorn Mountains in the general area of the town of Ten Sleep. Medicine Lodge Creek runs through the site carrying cold water from melting snow in the Bighorn Mountains.
Medicine Lodge creek flows along a 700 foot long sandstone cliff in the archeological site. On this cliff there are hundreds of prehistoric petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings).
This is part of the sandstone cliff that is covered with petroglyphs (carved into the rock) and pictographs (painted on the rock). In places along the cliff the art is so high up above the creek that one wonders how the ancient people got up there.
It is fun to imagine what these could possibly be.
Here is a figure with a large shield and a spear.
A close-up of the preceding picture.
Another interesting figure.
This reminded me of claws.
Some of these pictures were quite large, others were rather small.
This is what looks possibly like a female bighorn sheep stuck full of spears.
Another view of the rock wall.
Medicine Lodge Creek flows west from the Big Horn Mountains down to the Big Horn River in the Big Horn Basin. People have been using this area for over 10,000 years. I think it is because it is so pleasant here.
Medicine Lodge Creek flows through the Medicine Lodge archaeological site.
The water of Medicine Lodge Creek carved out strange shapes into the rocks..
A Cliff Swallow nest in the rocks above the creek.
Another look at the site. Medicine Lodge Creek runs at the base of the cliffs.
Hands prints on the cliff wall.
Hollowed out by water, a hole provides a nesting spot.
Water action.
More examples of the effect of water on the cliff above the creek.
Small cave in the cliff above Medicine Lodge Creek.
A cloud above the cliff.
Plants gain footholds wherever they can.
Medicine Lodge Creek.
Very cold water on a very warm day.
There are many trails to walk on. They go by very interesting rock formations. One must share these paths with ATVs and horses and it can get very warm. Bring water and sunscreen and you will have a nice day.
Another interesting rock formation. It is easy to see how early settlers named many formations after animals or objects.
Enjoying a warm summer morning.
More interesting rocks.
A distinctive white colored rock formation unlike the others we saw.
The path.
Red cliffs.
How many creatures live in the nooks and crannies of these rocks?
Sage brush.
Prickly Pear Cactus.
Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
Hills in the distance.
Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom.
Small caves and rock overhangs.
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Gravestone for El Niño (child) in Manderson Cemetery in Bighorn County.
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At the nearby town of Basin.
