The cool, crisp weather of winter in Northeastern Arizona makes this an ideal time to take advantage of the hikes offered at Petrified Forest National Park. According to Park Ranger Hallie Larsen, opportunities this weekend include some behind the scenes hikes, including the Red Basin/Clam Beds and Jasper Road hikes.
In talking about the Red Basin hike, Larsen noted it provides a rare glimpse into ancient civilizations. “This is part of the land within the 2004 boundary expansion of the park. Along this hike you’ll see petrified wood, petroglyphs, unique erosional formations such as hoodoos, vibrantly colored badlands and fossil clam beds,” she said.
The petroglyphs mentioned by Larsen are the product of the Basketmaker culture of the pre-ancestral Puebloan people centuries ago. This is known by the many artifacts and remnants of their villages still apparent in the park.
The most valuable aspect of the park is that it has preserved centuries of artifacts, much further back than the Pueblos who once lived there, yet seen within the same area. “Imagine the environment of the Late Triassic when the rivers had colonies of thousands of fresh-water clam fossils that are 218 million years old. Other fossils in the region include giant reptiles and amphibians,” explained Larsen.
Looking at the hills in the park, the colorful banding of the badlands and escarpments represent river sediments deposited during the Late Triassic. The formations are carved by wind and rain, sometimes forming fantastic shapes.
Also offered is the Jasper Forest Road hike. On this trip hikers are taken off the beaten path to see colorful petrified wood, petrified log bridges and amazing petroglyphs.
This hike is along an old 1930s road and is a nice stroll through an incredible garden of petrified wood. Larsen explained that this area was originally called “First Forest,” because it was the first collection of petrified wood that travelers encountered when they came by wagon from the Adamana train station.
“The surrounding landforms are beautifully eroded with blue, purple and gray banding. The geological story includes a feature once called Eagle Nest Rock. Unfortunately, the feature fell in January 1941 after a period of unusually heavy rains. However, you can still see the base in the center of the loop,” said Larsen.
Both hikes are offered this weekend and are included with admission into the park.
To take part in the Jasper Forest Road hike, meet at the Jasper Forest Overlook at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. The round trip hike is 4.5 miles on uneven ground. The hike takes about 2.5 hours.
For the Red Basin/Clam Beds hike, meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the pullout off Blue Mesa Road, which is 1.7 miles off of the main park highway. This hike is a rugged, off-the-beaten-path hike, which covers 8.5 miles and takes from five to six hours.
These hikes are within park boundaries. Allow plenty of time to enter the park and drive to the locations. The entrance fee is $20 per auto for a seven-day pass, and $10 per bike and motorcycle. For both hikes bring water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen and sturdy hiking shoes. If there’s inclement weather, the hikes will be canceled. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/Pefo/Index.htm.
