Park has “secret” backcountry hikes that you can take out into the painted desert where the park’s usual visitors do not roam. We decided to do the backcountry hike on the northern end of the park (the red-colored part of the park) to Onyx Bridge. Derek was excited because he was able to use the coordinate tracking feature on his gps! We kept Ashton engaged by making him navigator and “finder of visual features” from the guide to the hike that I found online. The hike was great! We were hiking surrounded by thousands of petrified wood fragments (so many more than you see on the maintained park trails) and the land features were beautiful!
The hike started with a 300+ ft descent via very steep switchbacks. Of course we had to climb it on our way back out at the end of our five mile hike. By then we were totally ready for our late picnic lunch!
Those aren’t rocks on the ground. That is all petrified wood!
These are cool swirly rocks! The picture doesn’t do them justice.
This was Zach’s favorite petrified wood fragment- it was white- almost clear in places. No! We did not keep any!!!
Petrified logs everywhere!!!
Our hike destination- the Onyx Bridge.
Now for the hike back and up the Mesa in the far distance.
It looks very dry, but the clay under our feet was actually soft and wet in many places, especially when we were walking in the washes. The pools of red water were kind of cool!
After lunch we drove over to the Blue Mesa location of the park to another “secret” trailhead which we make take during a future park visit.
What a varied state that we live in with such awesome natural wonders!!!
What a varied state that we live in with such awesome natural wonders!!!
Maybe you should become tour guides!
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