Ventured once again to the Petrified Forest Loop Trail from the western edge access gate.
The brown markers for this trail are about 6 inches across and 4 feet high. They are fairly easy to find. It looks as if they are in the process of putting in wooden post markers. In some places the wooden markers and the brown markers were up.
Today we veered right or south as one might call it. After the initial climb to the fork it was vastly flat for the majority of the next 2 miles. The trail did dip down as we entered into the petrified forest about 3/4 miles after the fork. This collection of forest is smaller than the section further to the north, however equally as interesting. After about 1 mile of pure grasslands we ventured off path onto the ridges and had a picnic lunch overlooking the one tree trail.
We saw: 2 bison, 1 dead horse, crickets, 1 hawk, small unidentified birds.
As the seasons are changing the landscape is becoming much bleaker, even the sage is drying out. The wind was gusty and when it guested it was uncomfortable cold but overall a lovely day to be out in the park.
Starting Point : Petrified Forest West Boundary Access
 |
| West River Road Exit |
Exit towards W river road. This is two exits west of the main Medora / Park exit. At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp you will take a right. It is about 7miles up this road. The road itself curves and branches quite a bit, when i went there were signs directing you the whole way. The road can be quite challenging in the spring when there has been a lot of wash out or if they have recently re-graveled. There are many oil wells along the road so the trucks have done a good job of packing it down
You will find a small parking lot just before the gate to access the trail. The trail starts off flat and than climbs for about 1/2 a mile till you reach a junction. We went to the left and after a a mile including an 1/8 mile drop we found ourselves in the forest. If you stay on the trail it will wind you directly through some amazing petrified trees. It is a large area and I found that wandering a bit off trail got me in groves that I would have missed staying on the path
 |
| Bison, TRNP |
We saw: 2 bison, 1 dead horse, crickets, 1 hawk, small unidentified birds.
As the seasons are changing the landscape is becoming much bleaker, even the sage is drying out. The wind was gusty and when it guested it was uncomfortable cold but overall a lovely day to be out in the park.
