Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park

With one more National Park to visit in Northern Arizona, we arrived at Painted Desert and Petrified Forest before sunset. The park closed and started kicking visitors out at 5 o’clock sharp. With only an hour to drive around before closing, I had only enough time to take photos of the painted desert and drive through the petrified forest.

Thousands of years ago during the Triassic period, there used to be trees 200 ft tall that sat along a flood plain. It took one huge flood to sweep all of the trees out of the ground. 

Tossing around the trees, the water took off most branches and roots, just leaving logs to settle and rest at the bottom of the flood plain. After thousands of years of oceans and rivers brought in new sediments, layering up among the logs. Absorbing the minerals from the sediment, chemical reactions took place turning the wood into crystallized rock.

Years of rain were able to wash away the sediment and eventually exposed the wood. 

This central location of petrified wood was founded and became a tourist attraction for those riding on the Santa Fe railway system.

With tourists wanting to keep a piece of the petrified wood as a souvenir, locals soon became concerned with the major disappearance of thousands of pieces of the wood.

The Petrified Forest and surrounded Painted Desert was claimed as a National Park in order to preserve the wood. The penalty for stealing rocks from the park is a 300 dollar fine and possible arrestment.

We were able to go to a few stores right outside of the park where petrified wood can be purchased. Depending on the size, color, and design of the crystals the price of the wood ranges from $5 to $16,000.

After learning about the park in the visitor center and driving through the forest it was incredible to see just how much people have destroyed the largest concentration of Petrified Wood in the world. There are only a few turnouts and a couple of short hikes that led to the petrified wood that now remains in the park. Comparing to photos from the 1800’s the difference of the amount of the logs in the park is enormous. In photos, hundreds of crystallized and colorful logs carpeted the desert. Today, you have to hike to see the parks  “large” collection of a logs.

It was a really incredible park and although it was a bit out of the way, the preserved wood is exceptionally beautiful and the history of the park is truly eye opening.

Grand Canyon

The next day we drove to the South entrance of the Grand Canyon

On the way to the Grand Canyon.

On the way to the Grand Canyon.

On the way to the Grand Canyon.

We had heard from other travelers that the North side closed due to a big snow storm. Ready for some warmer weather, we decided to cover the South entrance during this visit.  

Arriving late, we entered the park from the East. Since the sun was setting we only had time to visit the First View of the Grand Canyon. It was a spectacular to watch the sun set over the East end of the canyon. The canyon walls turned from green and brown to a brilliant red. 

As the sun set we decided to walk through the gift shop to the staircase leading up the watchtower. Although construction covered the outside, the inside of the watchtower was just as beautiful as the canyon. 

Somewhere between the 1920’s and 30’s the National Park system decided to create a watchtower in the park. The steel tower had been decorated by brick on the outside and painted in the inside. Hired by the park system, an Indian painter was commissioned to paint only traditional Indian paintings throughout the three story tower.

Windows gave different views of the canyon and surrounding area throughout the three stories. Although the top is closed off, Jason and I were able to walk up to the last small staircase to the roof. 

After making our way back to the base before dark we left the park and made our way to the surrounding National Forest. We were able to find a nice primitive site to spend the night at.

During our visit the night before, I had noticed that a section of the South end of the National Park had been closed due to construction. The closure and freezing weather cut our visiting time down to less than a day. Although Jason and I really wanted to do some hikes, possibly to the bottom of the canyon, but not in 40 degree weather. It was just too cold to do anything but stop at all the scenic overlooks and join an indoor Ranger program.

We had finished the park in record time, three hours. The canyon is very beautiful but I unless hiking in cold weather is your forte, I wouldn’t recommend visiting the park in November. Jason and I have already began planning another trip to the park, in the spring or summer.

After visiting the park we decided to watch the Grand Canyon National Geographic Imax movie.

Right outside of the the National Park we past by this Bedrock campground. I just had to stop and take a few photos.

I just posted a few blogs!! Just click *Older Post* to view photos from Bandelier, Pecos, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.