Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, Comstock, Texas

During the 19th century the Black Seminole Scouts of the United States Army were stationed to the area, giving the region its name. 

Historic oven

Seminole Canyon

Fate Bell Pictograph site

Windmill Nature Trail

Upon arriving yesterday our  air pressure relief value quit working.  We had to drive 40 miles back into Del Rio for a replacement value.

We were able to sign up with the Witte Museum to visit the White Shaman pictograph mural on private property.

Spotted some Aoudad sheep running in the distance.

When the Bighorn sheep began disappearing from West Texas in the early 20th century, the North African Aoudad took their place. Imported by zoos, and later set loose by private owners and public officials, Aoudads flourished where bighorns had struggled to survive.

This two hour trek takes you through a landscape filled with Chihuahuan Desert plants and stunning views of the Pecos River where it converges with the Rio Grande.

There is a 250 foot descent into a narrow brushy canyon and the trail is steep with loose rocks and uneven footing.

The White Shaman mural, painted thousands of years ago.

You could play these holes like a musical instrument

Overlooking the Lower Pecos River from the mural

Because we had a Jeep we were given a special opportunity to drive out to this cabin on the property overlooking the Lower Pecos River.

Outhouse

with a view

I couldn't get over how green the Ocotillos are

Took the Rio Grande River trail to the Canyon Rim trail

This wooden bridge passes beside the remnants of two rock rings that are all that remain of wickiup structures.  These temporary shelters looked something like low teepees made of brush instead of skins.

Aoudad sheep

Yellow blooming Ocotillos

This fossil was most likely made from an Ammonoid shell.  Ammonoids were squid like creatures that lived inside an external shell.  Ammonoids were important predators in the  ancient ocean, eating fish, crabs and other shellfish.

Lots of Millipedes crawling around

Chert nodule

Panther Cave

Pictograph site

Here at the confluence of Seminole Canyon and the Rio Grande lies Panther Cave. Pecos River Style rock paintings called pictographs extend along the back wall of the shelter including a panther like image that spans a full nine feet.

When water levels are MUCH higher you can ride a boat up the Rio Grande and hike over to the cave.

I was very happy with how well we could see the panther from across the canyon.

Horses on the other side of the Rio Grande