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Blue Mesa Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (29)
  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 29 votes

#1

in Petrified Forest National Park

#445

Overall
  4.5 from 29 votes
5 Star
59%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Petrified Forest Natio…

#24

in Arizona

#445

Overall
9 Views Last Month
1,786 Since Jun 16, 2016
Easy/Intermediate
28%
20%
52%
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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

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 17 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 6, 2023
Eric Kohls
Beautiful badlands! 1mi
Apr 5, 2023
Bob Jonson
Apr 4, 2023
janelle mo
Jan 14, 2023
Meredith Balinbin
Nov 9, 2022
Cm Long
Oct 4, 2022
Cecily Leath
1mi
May 27, 2022
alex carlton
Super neat looked almost like the badlands type vibe — 2h 00m
May 23, 2022
Effe DiPo

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