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A365 Petrified Forest
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Blue Mesa: reached by a short loop road, this has many logs lying around an area of undulating blue-grey mounds of clay. Often the logs lie partially buried in the clay, and erosion gradually but continuously exposes more of them. There are no trails in this region as the soils are too delicate.
Jasper Forest: is a large expanse of logs scattered over a wide and rather desolate valley. There used to be a lot more, but this was one of the main locations for collecting by early prospectors who removed logs by the cartload. There is a good viewpoint but again no hiking opportunities. Opposite, a short road leads to agate bridge, a long complete unbroken log lying over a stream bed. The bridge was reinforced by concrete early this century but it is of course forbidden to walk across.
Crystal Forest: Further south, a short trail passes through Crystal Forest. This was once strewn with especially beautiful logs, which had crevices containing clear quartz and purple amethyst crystals, but all the best specimens were removed by souvenir hunters long ago. It was this theft that prompted local citizens to petition for the creation of the then National Monument, which was established in 1906 - National Park status was not achieved until 1962. A few small crystalline specimens can still be seen, amongst other more typical logs.
Rainbow Forest: The area with the most densely-scattered petrified wood is Rainbow Forest, near the south entrance of the national park. There is a museum, which amongst other exhibits has a large collection of apologetic letters sent by visitors who have taken rock samples and later regretted their actions. Hundreds of pieces of petrified wood are returned each year. Through the museum, a short foot trail winds through the Giant Forest area which has some of the biggest logs in the park. Nearby, the Long Logs trail gives perhaps the most impressive views - the path passes hundreds of large beautifully colored examples, often several meters in length. There is also an old hut, Agate House, constructed entirely of petrified wood by Indians in the 16th century.
