Signs & Symbols

By Steve Sheffer

The science of deciphering signs and symbols has escalated to the point where learning to read signs and symbols has become a priority to many of us. learning to read signs is accomplished by two methods. (1). By learning from others, and (2). By hard work, research, footwork, mistakes, and learning by those mistakes. One must comprise a preliminary catalog of signs and symbols observed in any given area they are searching in. A good thing to do also, is to purchase as many books as possible on the subject to aid in the work. I found it helpful in learning the signs and symbols of the ancient peoples who inhabited the Americas, by purchasing books authored by Dr. Berry Fell, Gloria Farley, Dr. Paul Cheesman, and L.A. Waddell just to name a few. It is important that you read these books, but do not take them as gospel because you will find that even though the author done his very best, not all of the work is perfected. Therefore you must rely on your own research and footwork to accomplish your main goal, and that is to learn to read the signs and symbols. Not all of the signs and symbols used by those that came before us have been deciphered. The work continues daily by many people. We are here to learn from each other.

The following is a MUST for any sign and symbol researcher

Use a camera of good quality. Use the proper film. Know how to use the camera. Measure each symbol or sign (i.e) width, height, depth and if lichen or moss is present on a sign or symbol, scrape a little bit off into a plastic bag for dating. Never use anything on a sign or symbol that will destroy or alter it. Never cut them out!
Use a notebook and pencil to draw them out. Use a GPS and a 7.5 Topo map to log their location. Stand directly in front of the sign or symbol and shoot an azimuth using the proper declination. Measure the sign or symbol from the ground up. Note the degrees in which it is portrayed. In other words, take nothing for granted, and leave nothing guessing, and most importantly, leave no sign that YOU were there!
If you have signs or symbols you want help on, please send them to our officers and we will make certain they are posted and if you need help, we will do what ever we can to do just that. This is an exciting time, and we are here to learn all we can.... thank you.

(click on thumbnails to enlarge pictures)

Hand written Notes given to Steve Shaffer by Gale ( Dusty ) Rhoades it is a sixteen page booklet that Rhoades gave to me with all of the symbols he had found in the Uintas during his time. I have added several dozen more to this collection.

The hanging arm man.......at Loggers Park  /  Great map to follow. Its meaning enabled Dusty and I to find where a cache had been buried.

This symbol is what I found on the South Fork of the Weber River. It is featured in "Of Men & Gold"

Black Nugget Mine   /   Kings Mine


Trail to base of mountain.....Taylor Mountain  /  Follow marker on the Yellowstone

Upper signs in Twist Hollow  /  Follow marker......up to next symbol.....Twist Hollow

Begin trail to wealth, Rock Creek / Mission site on Lower Rock Creek


Trail indicator on Sink Ridge   /   Trail indicator on Bear Wallow

Cross of the Jesuits mouth of Rock Creek

Trail marker above Wallsburg   /   go 1 league.....Rock Creek

Bonnie Shaffer standing at a Spanish Follow Marker / Trail marker on the old Shotnick trail, Rock Creek


Flower , Indicating the top of Lake Mt. / Flower, Top of Mosby

Wealthy mine 3 leagues north of this tree / Telling of a rich silver mine

Flower showing 7 petals and trail......rich mine....Logger's Park / Same tree, other side


Map of Mt. Baldy and one rich mine there  /  Begin here, on trail to wealth.......Petty Mt

Begin here, on trail to wealth.......Pole creek  /  Begin here, on trail to wealth.......Yellowstone

Expedition   /   Map

On trail to wealth on Mosby   /   Trail indicator on Soapstone

Big quakie trail marker on Mosby

Me with the Diamond Tree on Mosby Mountain

More Mosby symbols


More Mosby symbols

Map of ridge and lake. (Gardner Ridge) / The square has a heart cut in the middle of it

Rich mines   /   Great directional

Mission site on Lower Rock Creek / Two follow indicators I found on the North Fork of the Duchsene River

Map rock on Rock Creek   /   Continue on but do not go left. Middle Mt.

This "Cross" was found by following other symbols. Always look down, on rocks because sometimes that is where you'll find some of the more important signs

Treasure/trail indicator. Lapoint Utah

Giles 's Gold hole   /   Spanish Mine

Note: all Lichen was scraped off of the rock to expose symbols