Petrified Logs Loop, Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada > Valley of Fire State Park > Petrified Logs Loop
Petrified Logs Loop
Short circuit of a sandy basin where the Chinle Formation is exposed, flanked by outcrops of deep red Aztec sandstone, past several large petrified logs, enclosed by fences for protection
Length: 0.3 miles, loop
Elevation change: 50 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Loop
Usage: High
Season: All year
Trailhead: Parking area at the end of a short side road
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Elevation change: 50 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Loop
Usage: High
Season: All year
Trailhead: Parking area at the end of a short side road
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
By far the most prominent and widespread geological formation in Valley of Fire State Park is Aztec sandstone, variously colored red, pink and orange, but small exposures of other sedimentary rocks do occur, including the Triassic-era Chinle Formation. Across the Southwest, these strata are famous for containing large quantities of petrified wood - the Chinle Formation forms the main bedrock of Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - and in the Valley of Fire it too has fossilized logs, just rather less colorful.
One such log is found just north of the main road through the state park, a quarter of a mile east of the Historic Cabins, while the main location is 4 miles west, on the south side of the road, opposite the turning for Atlatl Rock and the campgrounds. Here, a 0.3 mile trail visits four large logs, scattered over a shallow basin, flanked by deep red Aztec sandstone to the north and south. The logs are enclosed by railings for protection (as is the other specimen); partially buried and not so colorful, hence the hike is somewhat underwhelming, but still well worth the 15 or so minutes required.
The trailhead for the Petrified Logs Loop is reached by a 0.2 mile gravel track, signed 'petrified logs'; at the end of a low ridge, the ground sloping gently down to the east. Most people start along the path to the right, which descends a little, then curves to the north and passes the four logs in quick succession. All are similar in appearance, dull reddish-brown in color, with one rather larger than the others. The loop completed by a short uphill walk back to the road. Along the way are several interpretive panels describing the geological history of this area.
One such log is found just north of the main road through the state park, a quarter of a mile east of the Historic Cabins, while the main location is 4 miles west, on the south side of the road, opposite the turning for Atlatl Rock and the campgrounds. Here, a 0.3 mile trail visits four large logs, scattered over a shallow basin, flanked by deep red Aztec sandstone to the north and south. The logs are enclosed by railings for protection (as is the other specimen); partially buried and not so colorful, hence the hike is somewhat underwhelming, but still well worth the 15 or so minutes required.
The Trail
The trailhead for the Petrified Logs Loop is reached by a 0.2 mile gravel track, signed 'petrified logs'; at the end of a low ridge, the ground sloping gently down to the east. Most people start along the path to the right, which descends a little, then curves to the north and passes the four logs in quick succession. All are similar in appearance, dull reddish-brown in color, with one rather larger than the others. The loop completed by a short uphill walk back to the road. Along the way are several interpretive panels describing the geological history of this area.
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