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Blue Mesa Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (24) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. Petrified Forest National Park
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“A breathtaking loop in the midst of the Painted Desert ”

Hunter R
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Map Key

0.8

Miles

1.3

KM

Point to Point

5,625' 1,715 m

High

5,505' 1,678 m

Low

29' 9 m

Up

121' 37 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Family Friendly Children will love the beautiful vistas present along the trail.

Overview

Beautiful hills of blue and purple bentonite clay command this striking landscape, adding a scenic backdrop to any outing on this smooth-treaded and gently graded hike.

Need to Know

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen along, as there is no shade on the route save for a sun shelter near the trailhead.

For those trying to photograph this area, the most spectacular colors are easiest to capture after rainfall, but regardless of the weather, the wonder and majesty of the park is ever present.

Description

Located within the Petrified Forest National Park past Newspaper Rock, the trailhead at Blue Mesa is marked by a sun shelter. The steepest section of this loop is at the trailhead, where you'll begin your descent into a lowland situated between the rolling badland-type hills of the painted desert. Follow the gravel trail around the loop before climbing moderately back to the parking area.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Petrified Forest National Park

Shared By:

Hunter R
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 24 votes

#1

in Petrified Forest National Park

#524

Overall
  4.5 from 24 votes
5 Star
54%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Petrified Forest Natio…

#25

in Arizona

#524

Overall
20 Views Last Month
1,651 Since Jun 16, 2016
Easy/Intermediate
29%
19%
52%
0%
0%
0%
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Photos

Blue Mesa View- Petrified Forest National Park
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Trail without ramp
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Marlena walking on Blue Mesa Trail loop
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Shattered trees.
Jun 20, 2016 near Holbrook, AZ
View of rock formations
May 14, 2018 near Holbrook, AZ
Blue Mesa.
Apr 10, 2016 near Holbrook, AZ

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Update Conditions
All Clear 19 days ago See History
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 6, 2022
Brett Wolfley
Dec 30, 2021
Kristy Walker
11h 21m
Nov 19, 2021
Kristy Van
mostly purple mesa
Aug 24, 2021
Trang Doan
Jul 10, 2021
Eden Bach
0.8mi — 11h 39m
May 14, 2021
Lou Hibbard
With Janelle
May 12, 2021
Mike Nugent
May 10, 2021
Erin Jerig

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