Petrified Forest National Park has reopened, along with Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. There are no limitations on access to most of the park attractions and established trails.
Unfortunately, the remainder of the Field Institute events have been canceled as we rework the guided hiking trips and workshops to implement necessary safety measures. Our hope is to be able to bring these workshops and more back next season in a way that protects participants and instructors.
- This event has passed.
Extended Day Hike: Living with the Land
September 26, 2015
Instructor: Mike Campbell
For over ten thousand years, humans have inhabited the land that is today protected within Petrified Forest National Park. During that time, this area has been a crossroads of the Southwest. It’s no coincidence that prehistoric travel routes and Route 66 both traverse today’s parklands.
During this one-day field trip, you’ll learn how the land and environment influenced human history and culture at Petrified Forest National Park. The field trip consists of several sessions, including two moderately difficult hikes.
The first hike, about 2.5 miles round trip, will take us into the Painted Desert. The second hike, also about 2.5 miles round trip, will follow an abandoned roadbed that explores a dense collection of petrified logs called Jasper Forest.
Between the two hikes, we’ll stop at Puerco Pueblo, where partially excavated walls and other archaeological evidence tell the story of a village inhabited about seven hundred years ago.
Length: All day session
Morning Route: Out-and-back hike to Lithodendron Wash from Painted Desert Inn
Mid-Day Route: Puerco Pueblo
Afternoon Route: Jasper Forest Road
Max group size: 7 (solo instructor) or 9 (with co-instructor)
Cost:
- $119 – Non-Member
- $110 – Member
Registration Form
Class Notes
The hikes on this course are moderately difficult and cover some cross-country terrain. This field trip should only be undertaken only by those in good physical condition with past hiking experience.