Moderate, 10.8 mi Out and Back
1,004 ft elevation gain
Hiked 7/14/25
I am all about petrified forests. Petrified wood is my favorite rock no question and I'm a huge fan of badlands. About a mile to the forest and you could end there and return, or extend onto the grasslands, which adds miles and wildlife; birding, bison, rattlesnakes, short-horned lizards, wild horses, tumblebugs, prairie dogs and much more. Same hike I saw the Prarie Rattlesnake I posted a while ago. Returns to a second section of petrified forest to complete the loop.
Large petrified stump, reminded me of a big mushroom.
A couple of petrified stumps with the valley floor behind them.
A Mourning Dove takes flight from the petrified stump.
A couple of wild horses walking down the trail. The grayish one seemed pretty disappointed that I was happy to give them space.
A fly micromanages a tumblebug, who did all of the work pushing the ball of dung.
A Prairie Dog giving me the mean mug.
