Jasper Forest - National Park Service

1JFJasper Forest2.5 miles (4 km) round tripElevation change: approximately 100 ft (30.5 m)GPS coordinates:Starting point:Eagle Nest Rock:N 34º53’18.8” W 109º48’25.6”N 34º53’51.4” W 109º48’10.5”This hike into Jasper Forest along an old 1930’s road is a nice stroll through an incrediblegarden of petrified wood. This area was originally called “First Forest” because it was thefirst collection of petrified wood that travelers encountered when they came by wagonfrom the Adamana train station. The road within Jasper Forest was added later for cartraffic. After the road was closed it was allowed to erode away, but you can still follow itspath if you look carefully for what remains of the gravel road bed. However, if you don’tfind the road just follow the general route and enjoy Jasper Forest.stampThe road was constructed by the CivilianConservation Corp in the mid-1930s. Theroad was closed in November of 1965 andreplaced by the upper road to the presentparking lot and overlook. You can still seemany of the original stone culverts lining theold roadbed where it crosses a wash and other artifacts.Remember to leave everything where you find it.JasperForest

e Nest 055405503555015525575Jasper Forest Parking Lot(Starting 5700.150.30.450.5MilesKilometers0.65

JasperForest3Park in the Jasper Forest Overlookparking lot (not along the side of theroad). Walk to the east end of theparking lot (when facing the overlookfrom the parking lot, go to the right55park25 road).towards the main1Follow one of the gullies (youwill probably see worn socialtrails) downhill. For your safetyplease do not walk on theJasper Forest loop road becausedrivers may not be able to seeyou.552525500Ma4753Once the land flattens out a bit, go north and west tofind the bed of the old road that takes you on an easyslope to the petrified wood deposit below the overlook.45550Within a quarter mile (0.4 km), the road eventuallyveers to the right (north) towards the mesa and can betricky to spot in places. Head towards the small butte.

0 555JasperForestWhat is left of the road will lead you between a smallbutte and the mesa. Once you curve left around thebutte the road becomes more visible.5475The road turns to the right, up one of the drawsbetween the hills, and ends with a loop around ageological feature once called Eagle Nest Rock.Keeping the mesa close to the right, walk alongside it until you walk inside the center of the mesa’sampitheater.Eagle Nest Rock pre-1941Current appearance55256Return by retracing your route, or explore around the valley. Jasper Forest is one of the largestdeposits of petrified wood in the park. These petrified log segments were originally encased in thesandstone bluffs above the route, but thousands of years of erosion have sent themdown2555tumblinginto the valley.Unfortunately Eagle Nest Rock fell in January1941 after a period of unusually heavy rains.However, you can still see the base in thecenter of the loop.aM50054

00555500Things to Know About Off the Beaten Path Hikes25555425Hiking off-trail offers the opportunity to enjoy this landscape beyond the experience of the average visitor. These “Off theBeaten Path” hikes are suggested routes; not paved or maintained trails—although you may notice social paths or old roadbeds. All of the hikes require route-finding skills. Bring a compass and/or GPS tracking device. 552555505525The backcountry of Petrified Forest National Park offers:0055Please consider the following and plan accordingly:A semi-arid landscape with elevations over 5,500 ft (1,700m) with no water or shade. No marked trails—route-finding skills are necessary. 5500 surfaces that may become impassable when wet.Uneven Steep hills, narrow canyons, and crumbly surfaces.Know your personal limits, and of those in your party. 5 that fluctuate widely ( 100 F/38 C inTemperaturessummer and 32 F/0 C in winter).Wear appropriate shoes and sun protection. Bring foodand plenty of water (1 gal./person/day). Solitude and beauty.005552555Onyx 5405500547505575555055 55200 ft of Inn5825(Starting Point)0.1 0.20.458750.600The numbers on the mapcorrespond to the numberedphotos.5675Painted Desert InnMain Par5k0 Road5857005GPS coordinates are set in:Degreesº Minutes’ Seconds”Be sure to set your GPS in the appropriate format toprevent confusion. There may be a margin of error upto 30 meters for the listed coordinates.05567Kachina Point00.5MilesKilometers50.88556750570.375ertTP a i n t d De sestampheUse the cancellation stamps found atthe Painted Desert Visitor Center, orRainbow Forest Museum to date youradventures!NPPetrid 5560056075565600007554560557565NorthGPS coordinatesTrailhead:Onyx Bridge: 35º6’31.0”N 055555Elevation Change: 300 ft (91 m)5 Things to Know about Wilderness 75552556005575505605575056025This book is a collaboration of staff and volunteers whohave wandered these areas to find important landmarks andbeautiful vistas. The maps provide the route to destinations.TheWphotosare references to help you find your way.ilderness BRememberoun to keep an eye on the weather, find a landmarkdarynear where you parked to stay orientated, and be sure todrink plenty of water!LithodendronWash55575550547500554 miles (6.4 km) round trip755555Using This Guide55007555Onyx Bridge5525557555055Do not create rock cairns or trail markers.56005575555Unless you have an overnight0 Wilderness Area Permit,you are required to be out of the park by closing hours.Backcountry camping must be one mile away from anyestablished trail or road. Camping in vehicles in parkingareas is not permitted. Ask park staff for more details onbackcountry camping.505555250055555755755525625 56000056Follow all park rules and regulations.54705555475Understand that you are heading into a wild natural region.00562555Some areas have little to no cell phone coverage.5475 You are responsible for your own safety.

The Leave No Trace PrinciplesThe Leave No Trace Principles are the bedrock of the Leave No Trace program.They provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way thatavoids human-created impacts. These principles have been adapted to they canbe applied in your backyard or your backcountry.The following are a selection from the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.Plan Ahead and PrepareLeave What You Find Know the regulations and special concerns for the areayou’ll visit.Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splittinglarger groups into smaller groups.Repackage food to minimize waste.Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of markingpaint, rock cairns or flagging. Respect Wildlife Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Durable surfaces include established trails andcampsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet fromlakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site isnot necessary.In popular areas: Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wetor muddy. Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas wherevegetation is absent. In pristine areas: Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites andtrails. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.Dispose of Waste Properly We cannot stress enough howimportant it is to leave any fossils,archeology artifacts (i.e. potterysherds and arrowheads), rocks,plants, or animals exactly where youfound them. Much like a forensicscientist at a crime scene, whenartifacts are removed or displaced, awealth of information is lost aboutthat item. Please join the millions Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow orapproach them.Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages theirhealth, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them topredators and other dangers.Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations andtrash securely.Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting,raising young, or winter.Be Considerate of Other Visitors Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and restareas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash,leftover food and litter.Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inchesdeep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails.Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural orhistoric structures and artifacts.Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you findthem.Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.Respect other visitors and protect the quality of theirexperience.Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.Step to the downhill side of the trail when encounteringpack stock.Take breaks and camp away from trails and othervisitors.Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices andnoises.Look what I found!One of the marvelousthings about exploringthe Wilderness Areas isfinding all the uniqueartifacts.of hikers before you and do not pickup anything you find out on thesehikes. Take a picture of the artifact,and one of the surrounding area,and show these to a ranger so wecan send a scientist to recover it. Becareful not to post where you foundthese items online, because thoselocations may encourage looters.Petroglyphs are easily damaged byeven the softest touch. The oil onyour hands will deteriorate the rockart. These ancient symbols cannotbe recovered once lost.Help us protect these awesomeresources for future explorers suchas yourself!Off the Beaten Path 6

Petrified Forest National Park1 Park Rd, Box 2217Petrified Forest, AZ 86028www.nps.gov/pefoThese free apps will assist you while you venture throughPetrified Forest National Park.iNaturalist offers a chance tobecome a citizen scientist! Takephotos of flora and fauna withyour device and upload. Findout what that critter or flower iswith in-depth descriptions. Mostimportantly, these records givebiologists a way to track andmonitor life in these ecosystemswith your help. Join the iNaturalistcommuity today!Chimani provides apps for specificNational Parks, including PetrifiedForest! Features include: GPS-enabled maps Expert-written details on morethan 120 points of interest Collect points and earn badgesfor visiting parks and otherpoints of interest And much, much more!*Be sure to download the features insidethe app before heading in the park.Both apps available on:Sometimes going off the beaten pathmakes all the differenceEXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The road within Jasper Forest was added later for car traffic. After the road was closed it was allowed to erode away, but you can still follow its path if you look carefully for what remains of the gravel road bed. However, if you don’t find the road just follow the general route and enjoy Jasper Forest. Jasper Forest . 2.5 miles (4 km .