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Blue Mesa Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate
 4.4 (19) 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

  4.4 from 19 votes

#1

in Petrified Forest National Park

#702

Overall
  4.4 from 19 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Petrified Forest Natio…

#31

in Arizona

#702

Overall
53 Views Last Month
1,318 Since Jun 16, 2016
Easy/Intermediate
29%
6%
65%
0%
0%
0%
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Photos

Marlena walking on Blue Mesa Trail loop
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Trail without ramp
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Blue Mesa View- Petrified Forest National Park
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

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 5, 2021
Heather Meyer
So pretty! 1mi
Oct 8, 2020
John Corbin
Q
Sep 9, 2020
Ashlee Lacey
1.1mi
Sep 5, 2020
Joshua Hoyle
Aug 21, 2020
Corinna Lyon
Jul 24, 2020
Celeste Rudalf
Jul 3, 2020
David Ottney
Mar 8, 2020
Moe Corral

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