April 25, 2018
Once a part of the supercontinent Pangea this area was located near the equator in the late Triassic period. As the continents broke apart and moved to their modern location the climate changed. They believe volcanic eruptions toppled the conifers. Then swept away by waterways and covered with volcanic ash and sediment, these trees became entombed and over millions of years became petrified.
Through gradual erosion, gigantic logs and remnant pieces became exposed for us to experience.
The next pictures are of Blue Mesa – named after the bluish-gray mounds of clay the logs rest in.
You can see why they call this the painted desert.
More petroglyphs.
We left the petrified forest and spent the night in Tonto National Forest just outside Show Low, AZ
I’m loving these photos! My family visited the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in the early 70’s and it was so cool. Really amazing how old our planet is. Keep on truckin’!!!!