Please note that masks may be required for classes while in enclosed areas, such as vehicles and buildings, based on local and regional health conditions.

  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Petrified Forest Field Institute

Learn - Explore - Discover

  • Home
  • Custom Trips
    • Guided Custom Trips
    • “Step-On” Bus Tours
  • Classes
  • Upcoming
  • Instructors
  • FAQs
  • Webcam
  • Interactive Map
  • Contact
    • General Contact Form
    • Class Registration
Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Ancient Logs and Lost Landscapes

September 30, 2017 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm MST

  • « Nightscape Photography
  • Footsteps Through Time: Fall Photo Hike »
Petrified logs under a stormy sky | Photo by Gary Ladd

Instructor: Gary Ladd

A walk through the ancient trees of the Petrified Forest raises questions about the region’s environment at the time of the trees and dinosaurs and it kindles questions about Earth’s extremely long geologic history: What were the causes of mass extinction events both before and after the time of the dinosaurs that once roamed this region? Is it true that North America was once just a small segment of a much larger supercontinent that has since broken apart? Did the first life on Planet Earth appear early in its history?

When we walk the landscapes of the dinosaurs as revealed in this Arizona high desert it seems that we’re walking through the distant past. And yet, Petrified Forest time takes us only about 5% of the way to Earth’s beginnings!

Petrified Forest is a genuine gateway to an understanding of Earth’s long and amazing history. Join Arizona Highways photographer and geologist Gary Ladd for a look at the local geologic story and how it fits into Earth’s evolution over 4,600 million years.

Our geology group will meet at the main Petrified Forest Visitor Center for an introduction to Earth’s geologic history, illustrated with posters and diagrams. Then, using our personal cars, we will caravan to Crystal Forest Overlook (or an alternative location if conditions warrant) for a two hour hike through a fantastic display of petrified logs and Chinle Formation landscapes.

Be sure to bring your camera for the added benefit of tips and instruction from Gary, a world-renowned photographer.

Class Categories

Geology
Geology
Photography
Photography

Schedule

  • Meet at 8:00 am
  • Finish around 12:00 noon

Cost

  • $89 – Non-Member
  • $80 – Member

Registration Form

 

Class Notes

Maximum number of participants: 6

We will meet at 8 am at the main Painted Desert Visitor Center lobby at the north entrance to the park. The hiking part of our session will take us about two miles over rolling terrain with about 500 feet of elevation loss and gain. Be sure to bring sturdy boots, one to two quarts of water and snacks, a hat, sunscreen and perhaps a hiking stick. We should be back at the cars around noon and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the park on your own.

  • Google Calendar
  • iCalendar
  • Outlook 365
  • Outlook Live

Details

Date:
September 30, 2017
Time:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm MST
Event Categories:
Geology, Photography
Event Tags:
Gary Ladd

Venue

Painted Desert Visitor Center
1 Park Road
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028 United States
Phone:
(928) 524-6228 ext. 239
  • « Nightscape Photography
  • Footsteps Through Time: Fall Photo Hike »

Primary Sidebar

Petrified Forest Field Institute

Petrified Forest Field Institute (PFFI) is a program of the official nonprofit park partner, the Petrified Forest Museum Association (PFMA). PFFI is proud to offer guided hiking tours exploring a variety of fun and compelling subjects led by world-class guides and field experts.

Newsletter

Stay up to date with park news. Unsubscribe at any time.

Hamsters spinning wheel...

Thank you for signing up!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Petrified Forest Field Institute · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Log in

Photos courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park unless stated otherwise.