The Petrified Forest in California is an Incredible Place to Visit. People around the world love coming to California to see all of the different and wonderful sights available. One of the most impressive of these sights is the Petrified Forest located in Calistoga, California. A visit to this park is akin to stepping back in time about 3 million years.
In 1910, Ollie Bockee and her family created the park, hoping to educate people on the area, including the trees as well as the geology and fossils in the area. The park contains a museum, where you will be able to find quite a bit more information on these subjects.
Visitors to the Petrified Forest will be able to see a number of impressive sights when they tour the forest trail. You will see giant redwood trees that have been petrified, turned to stone.
The first tree you see while on your tour is the Pit Tree. It is called such because it is located in a 15-foot deep pit. The tree is actually a pine and not a redwood; the tree is one of the only pines in the park that is preserved.
Next, you will come across The Giant, a massive petrified redwood that is 60 feet long and more than 6 feet in diameter. The tree was an amazing 2,000 years old when it fell.
The Queen is also an interesting sight – it currently has an oak tree growing out of it. The tree, which is more than 8 feet in diameter, was an amazing 2,000 years old when it fell.
Another popular tree is The Monarch. It is the largest intact petrified tree in the world. It is 105 feet long and 6 feet in diameter. To see the best growth rings on a petrified tree, you will want to check out the Robert Louis Stevenson tree. You can see a cross section of the tree, which is 5 feet in diameter and shows the rings plainly.
In addition to seeing the trees, you can take a Meadow Walk. Naturalist David Storck guides the walk along the ½ mile trail, where you can see a 100-foot high Ash Fall and other remnants of volcanic activity. You will also be able to see live oak and a great many wildflowers. You should call to make an appointment for the Meadow Walk.
In addition to the park and the walks, make sure you stop by the gift shop, as well as the museum.
4100 Petrified Forest Rd
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-6667
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