“The Hellgate Pictographs are a significant cultural resource and while they can survive thousands of years of elements through time, they cannot withstand this type of vandalism. This pictograph panel is one of the largest rock art sites in Montana and holds high spiritual value to local Tribal Nations.”
Montana authorities are hoping you can help identify the sleaze or sleazes who decided to carve their initials into the millennia old Hellgate Pictographs at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The vandalism is thought to have occurred between June 3 and July 28. While it might seem like a romantic gesture to leave an inedible mark in our country’s national and state parks, it’s actually a scumbag move that is criminally punishable. If you have any info that could help identify JR & DR, please reach out the Townsend Ranger District at 406-266-3425 or Law Enforcement Officer Corey Scevers at 406-387-3839:
“We are still looking for leads on who may have initialed “JR+DR 2022” into the limestone surface east of the Canyon Ferry Reservoir. The carving is within the site boundary of a significant cultural resource referred to as the Hellgate pictographs.
The Hellgate pictographs contain over 280 motifs including human and animal like figures, handprints, dots, fingerlines, and abstract and geometric images. The rock art panel has both Foothills Abstract Tradition (17,000BC – 500AD) and Columbia Plateau Traditions (10,000BC – 250AD). Two rock art figures have been radiocarbon dated to 1,225+\-50 years before present and 1,170 +\-45 years before present. Other rock art images within this site could be older or younger.
If you have any information about this vandalism, please contact the Townsend Ranger District at 406-266-3425 or Law Enforcement Officer Corey Scevers at 406-387-3839.”