Rock Art Tours: Halo Shelter

Join the Witte Museum for a hiking tour to the Halo Shelter! Awaken your wonder and discover what makes Texas extraordinary. Nestled in a tributary canyon near the pristine Devils River north of Comstock, Halo Shelter features some of the best preserved Pecos River style pictographs in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands Archaeological District. The complex 100-foot long mural has been radiocarbon dated to be 2,000 years old. Over 100 anthropomorphic figures are intricately woven with enigmatic icons and zoomorphic figures. Halo Shelter is named after the distinctive, radiant circles painted above the heads of the ancestral figures, which resemble halos. The Witte Museum thanks the landowners for their stewardship of this unique cultural resource and for graciously providing access. More about the White Shaman Preserve and Rock Art Tours. Pricing: Members: $64 Non-members: $80 Health and Safety: You must realistically evaluate your ability before participating. The Halo Shelter tour takes place in a remote, extreme desert environment where response to serious injuries and medical emergencies will be difficult and lengthy. Desert hikes require stamina, balance, a tolerance for heat, and a higher level of physical conditioning. This challenging excursion involves uneven trails, high places, loose rocks and heavy brush. The tour can be dangerous for those in poor physical condition. Medical help is not quickly available and serious injuries due to poor physical conditioning can be catastrophic. Difficulty: Very strenuous. Getting to the site requires descending/ascending steep elevation of approximately 25 feet with the use of a rope. Upper body strength is essential. Once in the canyon it is a .25 mile hike to the mural. Duration: Approximately 7 hours. Attendees traveling a long distance are advised to secure accommodations for the evening prior to and/or following the tour. Round Trip Distance: 1/4 mile hike Vehicle Requirement: This tour requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with at least 8 inches of ground clearance. Your vehicle will be subject to harsh desert conditions, spiky plants, and rough unpaved roads. Meeting Location: Desert Inn RV Park in Comstock, TX. Location: Private Ranch near Comstock, TX. Access to the site is restricted, reservations are required. To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, this experience is designed for participants aged 12 and older.