“Nowhere else has a large and beautiful and in every way wonderful section of the ancient …forests been discovered, and after it is cared for by the Nation and made easily accessible, it will, I am sure, become one of the most attractive and famous places in all our Western Wonderland.” ~ John Muir (Sept. 12, 1906)
The Petrified Forest National Park is located about 70 miles west of Gallup, New Mexico straddling I-40. Take exit 311 to gain access to the park. It even has a part of Route 66 within the park preserving a section of this historic road. It takes about 45 minutes to drive through the Petrified Forest National Park. This is without any stopping. We originally had planned to do some hiking, but we could see a storm starting to build in the distance, even though most of the sky immediately around us was the most amazing deep blue.
The stark white snow covering the mounds forms a moon-scape appearance to the area.
This hill, appearing to be Chinle Formations, are not covered in snow making the colored lines of various types of rock quite vivid. Those different types were formed as the land transitioned from a rainforest, to a grassland and finally an arid environment.
We stopped so I could take a picture of the beauty. A Raven was perched on a rock right next to the camper. I was sure he would fly away as soon as I opened the door, but he fearlessly stayed and observed all that I was doing. In Native American folklore, this bird is magical and a link with messages from the cosmos. Supposedly the raven only comes to those who are worthy of knowledge.
It’s obvious why this land was called the Painted Desert. Each layer of sedimentary rock boasts its own unique color.
Called “El Desierto Pintado” by a Spanish explorer, this Painted Desert made him think that the hills were painted the colors of the sunset. The sun is definitely disappearing today, although not from setting!
Had we more time, we would have loved to view the petroglyphs, some of which are solar calendars. Over 1000 archeological sites have been found here. Unfortunately, the storm is getting closer, shooing us down the road.
A panoramic view of the horizon showcases the building ominous storm. Had the Raven appeared as a harbinger warning us to leave immediately?
This is the Painted Desert Inn. Over 100 years old, the original inn was made of petrified wood. It has gone through several changes over the years.
In the far distant valley, you can see the Jasper Forest with the fallen trees now transformed into petrified wood. This forest contains one of the largest accumulations of petrified wood.
A closer look shows where a large section of a segmented tree trunk lays on the dessert floor. Facing in this direction hides the approaching storm!
It’s almost like these stump-like trunk segments were placed in a gathering circle so that people could sit and visit with each other.
The fact that these rocks were formally part of a tree years ago, is easily discernible. They were completely transformed as layers of soil buried and compressed the wood over thousands of years. Groundwater soaked into the wood and over time it formed into quartz.
The different minerals are what creates the variety of colors.
It’s easy to see where one whole tree toppled over and lays exactly as it fell, gradually transformed into rock over thousands of years.
Had we been in the Midwest with this color of sky, I think we would be looking for a basement right now! Perhaps the Raven is right. It’s best that we leave this amazing wonderland – quickly!
