 |
| Black-tailed jackrabbits are a common sight at Petrified Forest National Park. |
The 3-mile round trip follows
the remains of an old park road that was popular when built in the 1930s. Early morning and dusk are the best times to spot wildlife and offer the added bonus of more dramatic lighting on the buttes and crystals. Limit hikes to September through May, as the summer heat can
be unbearable and even dangerous.
To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 40, exit north onto Park Road and enter the park. After passing through the entrance station, continue along the road, heading past several overlooks. Drive under the freeway. Turn right/west onto the road for the Jasper Forest Overlook.
The trail leads from the parking lot’s northeast corner along the rim overlooking the Jasper Forest.
First Forest
A badlands area with plenty of petrified wood, Jasper Forest originally was called the “First Forest” because it was the first spot where railroad travelers encountered petrified logs during the early 1900s. Famous naturalist John Muir was among those travelers, visiting the Jasper Forest in 1905.
At 0.5 miles when the trail runs close to Petrified Forest Road, it turns northwest into a wash. You can follow this route to descend into the Jasper Forest. If rain has recently fallen or is forecast, you’ll want to turn around here otherwise your boots will be mired in mud should you continue.
If the typical dry desert day, however, keep going.
There are a number of washes that branch off the main one. Unless you’re good at outdoors navigation and have a topo map as well as a compass, stay in the main wash rather than explore the side tributaries. The accompanying topo map, though, shows one excellent side trip you can make to the north of the main wash.
Jackrabbits and rare lizards
A variety of mammals can be found in the national park, including pronghorns, bobcats, fox, and prairie dogs. Most of those creatures hang out in the park’s shortgrass prairies.
One mammal you’re likely to see on the hike is the black-tailed jackrabbit. Larger in size than a typical rabbit, they sport black-tipped ears and tail. The blood vessels in the jackrabbit’s long ears act like a heat exchanger so it can stay cool in the desert. Jackrabbits prefer open areas, and when a predator approaches can dash away at 35 mph; when running, they often take zigzag routes and long leaps to keep the predator at bay.
Wherever there are jackrabbits, there probably are coyotes. Canis latrans eat a variety of small mammals and can reach speeds of up to 40 mph when chasing jackrabbits. Even if you never see a coyote on the hike, you might spy their pawprints in the sand and at dusk often will hear their yelps in the distance.
Sixteen kinds of reptiles – including gopher snakes, bullsnakes, and western rattlesnakes – reside in the park. You’re unlikely to see any snakes during the day on this trail, though. There will be plenty of harmless lizards, though.
One lizard to keep an eye out out for is the plateau striped whiptail, a species that consists entirely of females. It prefer grasslands and developed areas, so you’re more likely to see it when you start the hike then once you get into the wash. The lizard’s name tells all you need to know to identify it – it’s striped, and its long tail is whip-like.
Another one to watch for is the side-blotched lizard. They’re rarely seen but live in rocky area; you’re best bet to spotting them is in the wash. Usually they top out at about six inches in length with the male larger than the female and boasting a brightly colored throat.
Golden eagles and ravens
The reptiles’ distant relative – birds – are far more abundant in the park. A full 216 species of birds have been identified in Petrified Forest, though a number of them are only stopping over for a few months (or even days), during the spring and fall migrations.
One bird you’ll see year around is the common raven. Entirely black, they average about 25 inches in length but weigh a mere 2.6 pounds. They’re not picky eaters. Berries, carrion, cereal grains, fruit, insects, nesting birds, small animals, and food waste all make up a part of their diet. Because of the latter, they’re easy to spot near the trail’s parking lot and just about any other place people go.
The largest bird in the park is the golden eagle. Its wingspan can stretch up to almost 7 feet. Agile and fast, golden eagles hunt a variety of small mammals, including rabbits and ground squirrels, ensnaring them with sharp talons. Watch the high cliffs for possible nesting sites and keep an eye on the sky to see them soaring overhead, as they look for their next meal.
A good place to turnaround on the hike is at 1.5 miles when you meet an old jeep trail that runs northeast-southwest in a straight line.
Do not approach, feed, or harass any wildlife you might see. There’s no shade at all on the trail, so be sure to don sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Leashed dogs are allowed.
To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 40, exit north onto Park Road and enter the park. After passing through the entrance station, continue along the road, heading past several overlooks. Drive under the freeway. Turn right/west onto the road for the Jasper Forest Overlook.
The trail leads from the parking lot’s northeast corner along the rim overlooking the Jasper Forest.
First Forest
A badlands area with plenty of petrified wood, Jasper Forest originally was called the “First Forest” because it was the first spot where railroad travelers encountered petrified logs during the early 1900s. Famous naturalist John Muir was among those travelers, visiting the Jasper Forest in 1905.
At 0.5 miles when the trail runs close to Petrified Forest Road, it turns northwest into a wash. You can follow this route to descend into the Jasper Forest. If rain has recently fallen or is forecast, you’ll want to turn around here otherwise your boots will be mired in mud should you continue.
If the typical dry desert day, however, keep going.
There are a number of washes that branch off the main one. Unless you’re good at outdoors navigation and have a topo map as well as a compass, stay in the main wash rather than explore the side tributaries. The accompanying topo map, though, shows one excellent side trip you can make to the north of the main wash.
Jackrabbits and rare lizards
A variety of mammals can be found in the national park, including pronghorns, bobcats, fox, and prairie dogs. Most of those creatures hang out in the park’s shortgrass prairies.
One mammal you’re likely to see on the hike is the black-tailed jackrabbit. Larger in size than a typical rabbit, they sport black-tipped ears and tail. The blood vessels in the jackrabbit’s long ears act like a heat exchanger so it can stay cool in the desert. Jackrabbits prefer open areas, and when a predator approaches can dash away at 35 mph; when running, they often take zigzag routes and long leaps to keep the predator at bay.
Wherever there are jackrabbits, there probably are coyotes. Canis latrans eat a variety of small mammals and can reach speeds of up to 40 mph when chasing jackrabbits. Even if you never see a coyote on the hike, you might spy their pawprints in the sand and at dusk often will hear their yelps in the distance.
Sixteen kinds of reptiles – including gopher snakes, bullsnakes, and western rattlesnakes – reside in the park. You’re unlikely to see any snakes during the day on this trail, though. There will be plenty of harmless lizards, though.
One lizard to keep an eye out out for is the plateau striped whiptail, a species that consists entirely of females. It prefer grasslands and developed areas, so you’re more likely to see it when you start the hike then once you get into the wash. The lizard’s name tells all you need to know to identify it – it’s striped, and its long tail is whip-like.
Another one to watch for is the side-blotched lizard. They’re rarely seen but live in rocky area; you’re best bet to spotting them is in the wash. Usually they top out at about six inches in length with the male larger than the female and boasting a brightly colored throat.
Golden eagles and ravens
The reptiles’ distant relative – birds – are far more abundant in the park. A full 216 species of birds have been identified in Petrified Forest, though a number of them are only stopping over for a few months (or even days), during the spring and fall migrations.
One bird you’ll see year around is the common raven. Entirely black, they average about 25 inches in length but weigh a mere 2.6 pounds. They’re not picky eaters. Berries, carrion, cereal grains, fruit, insects, nesting birds, small animals, and food waste all make up a part of their diet. Because of the latter, they’re easy to spot near the trail’s parking lot and just about any other place people go.
The largest bird in the park is the golden eagle. Its wingspan can stretch up to almost 7 feet. Agile and fast, golden eagles hunt a variety of small mammals, including rabbits and ground squirrels, ensnaring them with sharp talons. Watch the high cliffs for possible nesting sites and keep an eye on the sky to see them soaring overhead, as they look for their next meal.
A good place to turnaround on the hike is at 1.5 miles when you meet an old jeep trail that runs northeast-southwest in a straight line.
Do not approach, feed, or harass any wildlife you might see. There’s no shade at all on the trail, so be sure to don sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Leashed dogs are allowed.
TOPO MAP
 |
| At the first split, go left/west. The route north is for those who want to go into the backcountry and have advanced navigation skills. Click for larger version. |
