Lone Star Travelers Blog

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 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.

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.     

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.

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.