 Petrified Forest National Park Click to get the inside scoop from real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Petrified Forest National Park Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
106 Petrified Forest National Park Tips. 291 Petrified Forest National Park Photos. 0 Petrified Forest National Park Videos. Petrified Forest National Park Pages by mtncorg Sponsored Links for Petrified Forest National Park
Hotels Drive & Save! Book 3 nights and Earn $50 Gas Card After your Trip
Petrified Forest Hotels More ways to save on hotels near Petrified Forest in Calistoga.
Arizona Hotels The Official Arizona Hotel Site Arizona Hotel Reservation Center
Find the Hotel You Want Hotel Info, Photos & Virtual Tours Save up to 50% on hotels at Expedia
Ramada Forest Park Get our best rate at the Ramada ® site or your first night is free.
|
| Page Views: 1,401 Last Visit to Petrified Forest National Park: - | LOGS OF STONE by mtncorg - last update: Nov 30, 2003 |
| Petrified wood and the Painted Desert |
Once upon a time, a forest of pine grew high up in the headwaters of a mountain stream. Some cataclysmic event knocked them down and many washed down swollen streams onto a large floodplain where they were covered quickly by mud, silt and volcanic ash. Lack of oxygen, due to rapid burial, shut down the decay process. Silica from groundwater eventually seeped into the wood and over eons, crystallized into quartz, thus petrifying the logs. This occured 225 million years ago. In the intervening period, the land sank, flooded with freshwater and then rose high above the sea level, stresses which broke the petrified logs and continues to break them today. Other fossils remain buried in a layer that is in some spots up to 300 feet deep.
As with many areas in this region, evidence of human habitation exists - up to 2000 years ago until about 1400 - in the form of ruins, pictographs, rubble.
To protect the fossilized deposits, the Federal Government, as early as 1906, established a National Monument here. Teh Painted Desert to the north was added in 1932 and the Monument becam a Park in 1962. This is a car park for the most part. A 27 mile drive goes past many exhibits and turn-outs. WE drove through the Park from north to south and this is how the tips are arranged. There are no campgrounds in the Park, only wilderness camping for which you need a backcountry permit from a ranger station. There are motels in nearby towns and at the Painted Desert Inn - built originally in the 1920's, rebuilt in the 1930's and restored in the 1990's - there is both gas and food.
It goes without saying, pieces of petrified wood are not there for the taking. Rangers warn you not to take any, but recent studies show that 20% of pre-placed pieces disappeared within a short time. That is erosion on an exponential curve! If you have to have a piece, there are several commercial concessions just outside the park. |
| Park Service map of Petrified Forest Park |
|  | The map shows that the Park is pretty much devoted to the Park road with little backcountry beyond. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Geology and history come together" | | Cons: | "Desolate and pretty much a drive-through park only" | | In A Nutshell: | "Worth the Detour but Leave the Logs Lie!!" |
mtncorg's Petrified Forest National Park Travel Tips
Comments for mtncorg about Petrified Forest National Park | | | | |
iandsmith Mon Sep 18, 2006 07:54 UTC Mmm, loved the Blue Mesa shot. (I've been walking with another VTer - Braidwood pages) | Jenniflower Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:01 UTC Absolutely amazing - highly impressive. Would love to visit sometime :) Jen | DPando Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:40 UTC wow!! stunning!!! impressive such a trip!! | catalysta Thu Dec 16, 2004 22:32 UTC So did ya like my expert technical anthropological interpretation of the 'glyphs, hmmmm? |
|
More Sponsored Links for Petrified Forest National Park
Forest Park Hotels Sort Hotels by Price, Distance & Star Rating. Book on ORBITZ & Save!
Arizona Family Trip Read About The Top Spots To See In Arizona! Only at Family.com
The Royal York Hotel A 4 Star luxury hotel in York Call 0118 971 4700
|