In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, Gary and Connie Grube will host a season of guided adventures through the backcountry of Petrified Forest National Park. The Grubes have logged hundreds of miles hiking and volunteering with the park. Join them as they share their favorite gems of the Petrified Forest. Hikes are free, though regular park entrance fees apply, and are limited to 20 participants (12 for the Historic Blue Forest hike). Dogs on a leash are welcome, except for the Historic Blue Forest hike. Inclement weather or extreme mud will cancel a hike. Participants must wear appropriate footwear and carry water. Hats, sunblock, snacks and walking sticks are advised. Can’t make a hike? Ask at the visitor center to take an Off the Beaten Path excursion on your own. RSVPs are appreciated; contact Sarah Hervé at sarah_herve@nps.gov or (928) 524-6228, ext. 264. The schedule of hikes includes: * Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, First Forest Point and Jasper Forest Road, an easy three to four-mile hike. Depart from the Jasper Forest overlook parking lot. * Sunday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Onyx Bridge, an easy to moderate four to five-mile hike. Depart from the Painted Desert Inn. * Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Martha’s Butte, an easy to moderate three to four-mile hike. Depart from Dry Wash Bridge; park just south of milepost 22 on the main park road. Work up an appetite for your holiday meal with a hike to the petroglyphs of Martha’s Butte. * Friday, Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Red Basin Clam Beds, a moderate eight to nine-mile hike. Blue Mesa Loop Road; From the main park road, turn onto the road to Blue Mesa and drive 1.7 miles. Park at the pullout. Spend the day after Thanksgiving in the great outdoors. Bring a lunch. * Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Historic Blue Forest, an advanced three to four-mile hike. Depart from The Tepees; park at the roadside pullout near mile marker 14. This hike is for sure footed, safety conscious, experienced hikers wearing sturdy boots. Footing can be bad at any time, and treacherous in wet or icy conditions. The trail surface is ball-bearing gravel in some places and slippery clay in others. Walking sticks are recommended. * Sunday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, First Forest Point and Jasper Forest Road and easy three to four mile hike. Depart from the Jasper Forest overlook parking lot. The December schedule of hikes will be announced soon.