Subject: Directions to Yakima Rock Paintings
Date: Jul 21 06:50:56 1999
From: Andy Stepniewski - steppie at wolfenet.com


Michelle,

You wrote about the following regarding the "Painted Rocks." I'll add my
2-cents worth about the geology.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA

> Hi, Tweets,
>
> I've had several people write and ask me how to find the rock paintings
in
> Yakima.
>
> Since I'm not that familiar (yet..I'll be spending a lot of time down
there
> for the next two months) with Yak, my co-worker, who drove, sends these
> directions.
>
> >From Highway 12, take the N. 40th Ave exit. Turn West onto W. Powerhouse

> Road. Drive approximately 1 mile.
> On the left side of the road is a cliff face of columnar basalt, facing
the
> highway. The paintings are on the wall. If you cross the bridge, you've
gone
> too far.

I believe the "columnar basalt" is actually andesite, the end of an
impressive lava flow which originates at the Goat Rocks volcano some 60
miles to the west. Apparently, that volcano was once ~ 12,000' high. A
major flow from that vent filled the ancient Tieton River Valley about a
million years ago, ending at 40th Ave in Yakima. It is composed of the same
rock which comprises many of the Cascade volcanoes (St. Helens being a
major exception I know of ) and many of the peaks in the Andes Mountains of
South America.

A few nesting White-throated Swifts and many Cliff Swallows are an avaian
attraction at the "Painted Rocks."

> There's a sign, metal handrailing and steep steps. I would say it's not
> handicapped accessible, but some of the paintings are visible from the
road,
> using binos. Most of the paintings are at knee level or below.
> The swifts, of course, are all over.
>
> I hope these directions help. If you get lost, don't throw rocks at my
> head..I'm get lost in Yakima, too. My DeLorme atlas is at home, sitting
next
> to my recalcitrant computer. (that's why I'm typing this at work.)
>
> Michelle (eating bing cherries from Yakima as I type..sticky
keyyyyyyyyssssss)