Welcome to Travel Tuesday! We’re still in Arizona this week and on to another <1 mile hike in Petrified Forest National Park — the Blue Mesa Trail!
Blue Mesa Trail in Petrified Forest National Park
Distance: 0.9 miles (loop)
Elevation: 108 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: ~30-60 minutes (depending on how long you meander/stop for photos)
Trailhead Address: 34.93947,-109.75639
Parking: Lot available ($25 for admission into park, or free with annual interagency pass)
The Blue Mesa Trail is another short trail that we stopped to hike along during our scenic drive through Petrified Forest National Park.
It’s a popular trail, but not so heavily trafficked that there were crowds (thankfully). If you want to avoid them, I’d recommend coming here early in the morning. (The park gates open at 7am!)
The initial descent is pretty steep but the trail is otherwise very, very flat.
Blue is my favorite color and isn’t a color that is toooo commonly found in nature (in terms of landscapes — I’m well aware of the sky/water :P ), so I thought this was especially cool, and a sharp contrast from the red rock from before (and to come)!
You’ll be able to see deep purple bands in the hills and there are chunks of petrified wood strewn along the ground as you hike along this trail.
On the way back up if you get tired, there is a stone bench you can sit on if you need to catch your breath!
- What’s your favorite color?
- What was the last hike (or adventure) you went on?
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This looks like such a beautiful hike! The landscape looks incredible and the sky is so blue! That a wonderful place to escape and appreciate nature! Thanks for the great guide!
Thanks! It was a really cool place to visit! :]
Farrah recently posted…Agate House and Long Logs Trail
It looks like you had the whole place to yourself, what a beautiful trail. And the landscape is so interesting
I like to cut out all signs of human civilization/life in my photos, hehe. But it definitely helped that it wasn’t super crowded when I went! :]
Farrah recently posted…Agate House and Long Logs Trail
Such incredible colors at this place! Will have to visit ASAP.
Yay! I hope you get to go sometime! :]
Wow… These photos are stunning. Out of curiosity, how warm was it when you made the trip? I’ve heard that AZ is pretty hot, but I’ve never had a chance to experience it myself.
Hannah Marie recently posted…Traveling the World From Home: Supporting Local Businesses (Panda Korea in Longview TX)
It was suuuuper hot, haha. We were there in late August so it was in the upper 90’s/low 100’s (dry heat though, so at least it didn’t feel like we were walking through waves of sweat!)!
One other thing – do you know what the rules / restrictions are during the pandemic? I’d like to know before making plans.
Jamie Sharpe recently posted…Travel During Covid 19
I’m not entirely sure on all the restrictions right now (I went in summer of 2019), but I think they’re open right now! No overnight camping though and I believe the Painted Desert Inn is temporarily closed.
Farrah recently posted…Agate House and Long Logs Trail
Wow!! HIking that terrain looks fabulous!! I would so do it. The colors of the mountains and soil are spectacular.
Yeah! I loved all the different colors! :]
Farrah recently posted…Agate House and Long Logs Trail
Stunning photos! I bet hiking this National Park is really enjoyable. I hope I get to see it someday.
It was really cool to visit! :] I hope you get to go sometime!
Farrah recently posted…Agate House and Long Logs Trail