The Painted Desert from an overlook on Blue Mesa, Petrified Forest National Park. June 13, 2011.
This is my post for the Scenic Sunday meme, which shares beautiful scenes from around the world. To see more Scenic Sunday posts, or to join and show your own pictures, click HERE.
The Blue Mesa is an area which is just about in the center of the Petrified Forest National Park. It is reached by a scenic road and loop off the main park road. The elevation of Blue Mesa is higher than those parts of the Painted Desert in the northern part of the park. The view from Blue Mesa is fantastic, as can be seen from the picture above.
Erosion along the rim of Blue Mesa. June 13, 2011.
Because of a thicker protective sandstone cap, erosion around Blue Mesa has been slower than the erosion in other parts of the Painted Desert. While erosion is obviously going on, the colors uncovered so far are darker than those of other parts of the Painted Desert. As erosion continues the reds and pinks seen in the northern part of the park will be present at Blue Mesa as well.
View from the Blue Mesa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park. June 13, 2011.
At the northern end of Blue Mesa, the Blue Mesa trail makes a mile loop down into the badlands. While we did not have time to hike the entire trail, we did hike far enough to see more of the work of erosion at Blue Mesa.
Tags: Arizona, Petrified Forest, Scenic Sunday, Travels
Senior Moments 
August 15, 2011 at 7:25 am |
Amazing landforms and colour here. You were lucky to be able to hike through this country.
August 15, 2011 at 7:47 am |
I enlarged the photos and these deserve a BIG WOW! that first one is just plain beautiful. wish i could see it
August 15, 2011 at 7:54 am |
I agree with Sandra – the enlarged photos are something else! The landscape and the colours are incredible!!
August 15, 2011 at 8:03 am |
How beautiful is that??? Like Mother Nature took her paintbrush to work!!
August 15, 2011 at 8:14 am |
Very pretty place, the views are fantastic! Lovley photos!
August 15, 2011 at 9:19 am |
I have to be honest – this is a fascinating place to visit – BUT I need to live where there are green spaces. I couldn’t handle desert and badlands at all times! I’m glad we could see all this in person too, years ago now! Great photos George!
August 15, 2011 at 9:25 am |
Very beautiful. I am like Karin ….. I think places like this are beautiful but I think I would get tired of not seeing anything green.
August 15, 2011 at 10:07 am |
Amazing what a difference enlarging the photos make!! Such an awesome place and your captures are stunning, George! So glad you take us along on your trips and hikes!! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Sylvia
August 15, 2011 at 11:03 am |
What a beautiful place! All that blue sky…
August 15, 2011 at 11:23 am |
Excellent and very nice photos.
Regards!
August 15, 2011 at 7:44 pm |
I bet you felt like you were in another world at some of these places….
August 15, 2011 at 8:13 pm |
This is spectacular scenery.