Lone Star Travelers Blog » Arizona

Lacey Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:13:13 +0000

Lacey Point is named for Iowa Congressman John Fletcher Lacey who was an advocate for protection of public lands. The Antiquities Act of 1906 which protected “objects of historic or scientific interest” on Federal Land is often referred to as Lacey’s Act. Petrified Forest National Park, then a National Monument was one of the first areas to be protected under this act. The Chinle formation of the Late Triassic here is mostly mudstone and claystone. Notice the striking range of red colors due to the iron present as the Little Colorado River eroded the landscape. The gray colors are harder rock beds made up of siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate.

Whipple Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:22:56 +0000

Whipple Point was named for U.S. Army Lt. Amiel Whipple. In 1853 Lt. Whipple was surveying for a railroad route along the 35th parallel (1 mile South of here) for military and pioneer use. He passed down the broad, sandy wash below this overlook in December of 1853. Impressed with the deposits of petrified wood along the banks of the wash, Whipple named it Lithodendron Creek (Lithodendron is Greek for Stone Tree Creek.) Look down here and you will see petrified wood.

Nizhoni Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:49:43 +0000

Four miles into the park we come to Nizhoni Point. In Navajo Nizhoni means pretty or beautiful. Here you will find the site of a 200 million year unconformity. This is a gap in the geologic record. The Bidahochi formation that caps the cliffs was deposited between 4 and 8 million years ago. The Bidahochi consists of brown mudstone and black basalt that flowed from a volcano that erupted here. The pink mudstone below belongs to the Chinle formation that was deposited some 225 million years ago. The question is where did 200 million years of geologic history between the Chinle and Bidahochi formations go?

Pintado Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:18:10 +0000

Pintado in Spanish means painted. 2.9 miles into the park and at 6,000 feet you are standing at the highest point in Petrified Forest National Park. This is said to be some of the cleanest air in the United States. You usually have a 120 mile view and can see the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff Arizona. In the foreground stands Pilot Rock just 7 miles away. Note: If you have an RV or larger trailer avoid this turn out due to the tight space in the parking lot.

Chinde Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:19:27 +0000

In Navajo Chinde means unwelcome ghost or evil spirit. Think of the pre-dinosaur era when giant reptiles and amphibians ruled. Chinde Point is notable for an important archeological find. In 1984 he fossil bones of a very early, small (4 ft tall) dinosaur were discovered. Named chindesaurus bryansmali, this is the only known specimen of this type of dinosaur. Chinde Point is the 5th overlook you may stop at and 2.3 miles into the park. When you are touring Petrified Forest National Park make note that picnic facilities and restrooms are located here.

Back Country Camping Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:16:41 +0000

There are no campgrounds in Petrified Forest National Park. If you want to camp in the back country wilderness you must obtain a free permit (for up to 14 days) at Painted Desert Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn or Rainbow Forest Museum at least one hour before the park closes. At the north side of the park the entrance to the 43,000 acres of wilderness area is at Kachina Point adjacent to the Painted Desert Inn. 300 ft of steep switch back trail will take you to the desert floor. You may set up camp once you have crossed the Lithodendrom Wash approximately one mile in a westerly direction. On the south side of the park the wilderness area is located at mile marker 24 known as The Flats. Head west into the 7,000 acres for at least one mile before you set up camp. You must pack in everything you need and pack it all out. There is no water in the wilderness areas. Carry all the water you will need. Recommended is one gallon per person per day.

Kachina Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:58:22 +0000

Two miles into the park you come to Kachina Point, an overlook in front of The Painted Desert Inn. Kachina (Kah-chee-nah) is the representation of the Hopi deified ancestral spirits. This is the location of the northern Wilderness Area access trail. The badlands (a spectacular, highly eroded landscape) stretch miles before you encompassing 43,020 acres. Established in 1970 this was one of the first wilderness areas in the National Park Service.

Tawa Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:17:44 +0000

The next overlook is Tawa Point. Tiponi Point, No Name and Tawa Point offering expansive views of the Painted Desert are all clustered together on this first 1 3/4 mile stretch of Park Road. Tawa is the Hopi Sun God. Hugging the edge of the mesa the rim trail at 5,826 feet begins here. Walk the .06 miles each way to the Painted Desert Inn on a self-guiding trail. Signs along the way describe points of interest include geology, plants, animals and people. Keep a sharp eye out for the horned lark, golden eagle and ravens as they soar the thermals here at 5,826 feet above the desert floor.

Petrified Forest National Park Hiking Tips

joanie7 — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:23:05 +0000

The next pull out is not named and so of course we call it No Name Point. This is a good spot to pause, look at your map and plan your remaining stops and perhaps some hikes. You may hike anywhere in Petrified Forest National Park within the following guidelines. If there is a designated walkway or path you must stay on it. You may not walk into any areas with signs indicating closed area or authorized vehicles or personnel only. (these are few) Otherwise you may strike out into the Painted Desert or the Petrified Forest on your own. You must park your vehicle in an overlook parking lot or if you pull off on the side of the road you must be completely off the roadway and on the other side of the designated white line. The park closes at 7PM in the summer and 6PM at other times of the year. At closing time you must be in your vehicle heading for an exit.

Tiponi Point Petrified Forest National Park

joanie7 — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:23:45 +0000

Driving from one end of Petrified Forest National Park to the other is a total distance of 28 miles. Most visitors spend an average of 2 1/2 hours visiting the park. There are 21 overlooks and points of interest along the way. If you are driving from east to west on I-40 exit at #311 which will put you at the north end of the park. Make the Painted Desert Visitor Center right outside the entrance station to the park your first stop. Here you can pick up a park map, view the park film, browse the exhibits, orient to the surroundings, ask questions and perhaps purchase postcards or a book. Directly across from the visitor center is the Fred Harvey gift shop and restaurant. The restaurant is open until 3PM and the only place to eat in the park. The gift shop sells petrified wood that has been gathered from outside the park. Federal law prohibits the removal of any natural object from the National Parks. Remember as you tour the park you are welcome to pick up the wood, handle it and examine it but always put it back where you found it. Starting at the northern end of the park driving south on Park Road one mile the first overlook is Tiponi Point, the Hopi corn goddess symbol. Your first view of the Painted Desert here lays out the badlands at your feet colored with various shades of red and orange as seen on the mesas and buttes that rise from the desert floor before you. The Painted Desert is made up of Bentonite clay (sediment). As these ancient sediments deposited millions of years ago minerals in the rocks created the range of colors you will see throughout the park. The sparkle interspersed in the landscape is selenite. (gypsum) As you leave this overlook and head back to your car notice the bushes with pale yellow flowers growing along side the pathway. These are Apache Cliffrose. Take a moment to inhale the sweet scent of these flowers.