The earliest inscription by the Spaniards was that of Don Juan de Oñate in April, 1605, who wrote, "Pasó por aquí el Adelantado Don Juan de Oñate del descubrimiento de la mar del sur a 16 de Abril de 1605." It is impressive to think that Oñate's name was inscribed on the rock 15 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth! Many other Spanish travelers who visited the waterhole between Oñate's visit in 1605 and the last recorded Spanish visit in 1774, left inscriptions on the sandstone cliff.
