Good job yokes! Yes, there is often a correct spot to stand to see the signs. They will disappear if you move on or sometimes they disappear as you approach. My friend and I discussed this big monument. We both noted we did not see the things we would expect to see on a normal big trail monument. Can't see a horse , notches and others things. So to me the big monument is something different than a normal big trail monument saying go this way home, that way to the mines sort of thing. Yet cleary it is some sort of directional monument. I thank you for posting it because it might be specific to mining areas.
Now the time of day may not have been right to get the signs to appear. Some say 11-1 but I've found the reality is there are morning, noon and afternoon signs. Different purposes for each...put yourself in the mindset of those back then to figure the usages. But...sometimes that means just set your asset down , relax and watch for an hour or two or three.
On the big monument note there is a strong dark angled line or crack sort of pointing to the snake or perhaps pointing toward the sun face. . This is seen in the pic I marked up. I would not be surprised if there is info on the back of that snake. That is if there is room. That pic I marked up is one of the good angles. We felt that it possibly also wanted you to climb up by the sun face and look around. So yes you are right that is something to pay attention to whether you can climb up there or not.
As to the snake itself , well I think it is carved as all get out. But please remember others will not agree to that. Most call that kind of art work paredolia. I call it fluff but sometimes it is not fluff at all. Again others will not agree.
At this point in your career..I would suggest just follow the more major markers to get a feel for the place. Learn the little trails. Take pictures. Read old dog's thread. That will take some time but well worth it. Never ever give the location when posting or to "helpful" people that pm you unless you would trust them with your life.
It looks very interesting. I like the leaping rabbit on the snake and some of the simpler linear lines. MD sounds good but realize that stuff may be too deep for your rig. Oh, we both noticed those three dots on the snake.
Who knows, distance...or..3 mines or caches!
Have fun and this is one hobby where it really pays to slow way down when out and about.
