On its way, the creek penetrates the arid and austere Book Cliffs, one of the largest de facto wilderness areas in the continental United States. The canyon received its name from one of John Wesley Powell's topographers named Bishop who did a nine-mile triangulation drawing of the area in 1869. There are many places that are the scenic equal of Nine Mile Canyon, with its banded, red stone cliffs peppered with sage and pygmy evergreens, but few rival its archaeological riches. This is where the Fremont Indians, relatives of the Anasazi, were first identified and described. With more than 10,000 estimated sites, the canyon contains the largest concentration of Indian rock art in North America.
Displays are of both individual figures and complex panels.
Often you'll have to look closely to find them because they are hidden from direct line of sight or faded from age. The Fremonts constructed rock-walled granaries for food storage as well. Many are still intact but are often tucked high into the canyon's walls. You'll have a field day if you pack along binoculars. Emerald Lake on the Wasatch Plateau.