The wilderness abounded in power. It was manifested in the rocks, springs, animals, and trees. Power was sought after by some individuals, and it occasionally came to those who did not seek it. Once Outside, an individual in search of power found an appropriate portal through which to access the supernatural world. These portals were geographic features, such as rock crevices, caves, springs, pools, and mountain tops.
Rocks appear to have served as the primary frontier separating the actual and supernatural worlds.
Passage through rock was an important aspect of shamanism throughout western North America. The spirits of future children dwelled in these rocks, and were born to parents who followed the proper ritual. The wilderness was full of power capable of affecting human fertility, and certain springs, trees, gopher mounds, rocks, mud, and snakes could cause pregnancy. Apparently, the powers affecting fertility resided beneath the surface of Mother Earth. A childless woman fasted for four days before visiting the baby rock alone.