Canceled July 28, 2012
Petrified Forest National Park was once a vast floodplain and tall, noble conifer trees grew along the banks. The trees eventually fell and were washed into the floodplain. A mix of silt, mud, and volcanic ash buried the logs. This sediment cut off oxygen and eventually the silica-laden groundwater seeped through the logs. Eventually the silica crystallized into quartz, and the logs were preserved as petrified wood.
Now this high, dry grassland is full of colorful heavy petrified wood pieces. We hiked the Giant Logs, Crystal Forest, and Blue Mesa Trails. The Painted Desert and badlands scenery added to the horde of hues our eyes were relishing.
