The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
explored Crystal Forest and Jasper Forest
at Petrified Forest National Park
September 5, 2012
sign telling about The Crystal Forest
sign telling about the Triassic Landscape

Below: The trailhead at Crystal Forest was easily accessed from Park Road and the trail was friendly to families and persons of all abilities.

Approaching Crystal Forest from Park Road
butte across from Crystal Forest

Crystal Forest:

Another of the most well-known areas for observing specimens of petrified wood is the Crystal Forest. This area contains some large specimens of trees which have broken into constituent parts. The 0.79 mile trail which runs through the area provides excellent vantage points to view the wood. The two RV Gypsies only explored the trailhead, not the entire trail.
sign: The Crystal Fores
sign about the Triassic Landscape at Crystal Forest

Below: Crystal Forest is a landscape of exquisitely colorful petrified logs that once held glassy amethyst and quartz crystals.
panorama of Crystal Foreest trailhead in the Petrified Forest

Below: Colorful petrified wood remains are scattered about the rolling hills of the Crystal Forest.
Colorful petrified wood remains scattered at Crystal Forest
Lee Duquette at Crystal Forest
petrified log
petrified logs at Crystal Forest
exquisitely colorful petrified log

Below: The wood's brilliant colors come from impurities in the quartz, such as iron, carbon, and manganese.

wood with brilliant colors
scattered logs at Crystal Forest
chips
exquisitely colorful petrified log

Below: The name "Jasper Forest" derives from the opaque colors of the petrified wood found here.
sign about Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
sign about Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
sign about Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
panorama of Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest
Jasper Forest in the Petrified Forest

Below: Logs of red jasper have tumbled from the bluffs to rest in Jasper Forest
Logs of red jasper have tumbled from the bluffs to rest in Jasper Forest
Logs of red jasper have tumbled from the bluffs to rest in Jasper Forest

Below: Green grass and yellow flowers along the trail above Jasper Forest
Green grass
look below

go to the next page at the Petrified ForestPlease continue on to see page 4 of the Petrified Forest National Park - Agate House, Newspaper Rock, Route 66 exhibit, and Puerco Pueblo Trail