Located within the Fish Traps Archeological Site are a number of petroglyphs as well as ancient Indian Fish Traps which were both created by the Cahuilla Indians who once lived here hundreds of years ago. The Fish Traps are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They were made about 400-500 years ago when the ancient Cahuilla Lake once existed here in Coachella Valley but slowly dried up over the course of about 70-80 years due to the Colorado River diverting its flow elsewhere. The Indians created a large number of fish traps with rocks piled into circular shapes to catch the fish as the lake levels receded slowly over the years. You can see the former lake water level which creates a line cutting through the hills just above the fish traps and noticeable by its contrasted earth tones in the rocks.
I searched for the petroglyphs here after seeing them noted on a topography map (below). The Fish Traps are also listed on the map.
Unfortunately, there is much graffiti located amongst the boulders, with names and dates scratched into the soft rock. Vandals have even spraypainted over some of the petroglyphs -- but if you look carefully and are in the right sunlight, you'll see faint remnants of Indian petroglyphs. I was lucky and was able to spot a really nice one of a lizard in a hidden corner of a boulder (see right). Then I encountered a real lizard shortly afterwards. Coincidence? No, Cahuilla magic!
These posted coordinates will be a good location to park and hike to the petroglyphs and Fish Traps, just remember to stay above the nearby orchards since that is private property:
33.34.157 N
116.12.828 W
REMEMBER: These are sacred objects and NOT to be touched or moved. There is also a geocache located in the area that brings some people here.