Aspen Arborglyph Trees – Heritage Tree

The carvings on the trees in this aspen grove are called arborglyphs. Most of the arborglyphs here were carved by Basque sheepherders who worked the top of the Steens Mountain in the early-to-middle 20th century. These historic carvings were lightly carved into the bark to make notes about the sheep, leave drawings or as a means of letting one another know who had passed by each place.

Directions: From the North Steens Loop Rd., turn north onto Moon Hill Dr. Travel 0.2 mile. Turn west off Moon hill Rd. and travel less than 0.1 mile to small lake (sometimes dry). Aspens are about 200 ft. to the west of the lake.