Petrified Log

This log was buried about 100 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the area that is now Bisti Wilderness Area, in New Mexico. Of course, the area was then a tropical forest located near present-day Panama. Eons under the sea covered the area with sediment, some of which turned to stone. After continental drift relocated the area, an uplift brought it to the surface when the Rockies were created. Wind and rain has eroded it to create a fantasyland of rock formations, while exposing fossils and petrified wood, such as this log.

I have got to get there one day - nice shot don't you love the way the tree is sitting as the the under support is whittling away - are you back in Fl already? The weather in Yellowstone has not been the best but we brave it each day

That's a really nice find, I love it when we come across things like this. Thanks for sharing that amazing area with us.

Win

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Most of us will never see something like that.

Marcy wrote in post #12528128
I have got to get there one day - nice shot don't you love the way the tree is sitting as the the under support is whittling away - are you back in Fl already? The weather in Yellowstone has not been the best but we brave it each day

Thanks, Marcy. This log, and others I found, was originally much longer. When the soil underneath erodes enough, the log breaks off. There were several pieces of it on the ground.

Yes, back in Florida for our grand-daughters' birthday. Can't miss that. I envy your time in YNP, even with the weather. Be strong.

Win wrote in post #12528306
That's a really nice find, I love it when we come across things like this. Thanks for sharing that amazing area with us.

Win

Thanks, Win. You would love that whole area.

rick_reno wrote in post #12528677
Very nice, thanks for sharing. Most of us will never see something like that.

My pleasure, Rick. I regret the fact that I didn't start exploring places like this much sooner in life. It is so much fun I'd like to do a lot more of it.

Good work, Stan! Interesting comments as well. If you go there again next year I definately want to meet up with you---this place is #4 on my bucket list (#1--The Wave, #2 Coyote Buttes, north and south, #3 Waheep hoodoos).

sweet deal on the photo and the background to it.

irishman wrote in post #12529696
Good work, Stan! Interesting comments as well. If you go there again next year I definately want to meet up with you---this place is #4 on my bucket list (#1--The Wave, #2 Coyote Buttes, north and south, #3 Waheep hoodoos).

No plans yet for next year, Bruce, but will keep you in mind for next visit, whenever it is. I might even be persuaded to return to North Coyote Buttes, definitely want to go to South Coyote Buttes. Wahweap Hoodoos would be nice, IF I'm still able to make that walk.

There are some others on POTN who would like to visit Bisti. We could have a small group, I'll bet.

Harm wrote in post #12530178
sweet deal on the photo and the background to it.

Thank you. Harm, I see your 22k posts and wonder which forums, since I don't recall seeing any of them.

I was there in 1971 and unlike me it hasn't aged at all. Beautiful shot Stan. Hope your trip is going well.

Don1 wrote in post #12534250
I was there in 1971 and unlike me it hasn't aged at all. Beautiful shot Stan. Hope your trip is going well.

Wow, Don, 1971? That is impressive, as I never even heard of Bisti until about 10 years ago. Anyway, thanks.

sparker1 wrote in post #12530509
Thank you. Harm, I see your 22k posts and wonder which forums, since I don't recall seeing any of them.

the worst ones, the ones you don't want to get into...

Your background to the photo, reminded me of a news article i saw & read, regarding a cave somewhere in the US, I believe. It had trees underground, that were pretty much preserved, save a couple that had virtually turned to coal. Touch them and they fell apart. So it was interesting to see one nicely preserved above ground!

Harm wrote in post #12542632
the worst ones, the ones you don't want to get into...

Based on your excellent Smugmug gallery, you might have posted in every POTN forum. I'll have to pay more attention.

sparker1 wrote in post #12534275
Wow, Don, 1971? That is impressive, as I never even heard of Bisti until about 10 years ago. Anyway, thanks.

Now you have me wondering Stan. The log is as clear in my mind as yesterday but not the location as we were on a RV camping trip and hit a lot of locations. Is it possible there is more than one similar petrified log. Probably so.

Don1 wrote in post #12544279
Now you have me wondering Stan. The log is as clear in my mind as yesterday but not the location as we were on a RV camping trip and hit a lot of locations. Is it possible there is more than one similar petrified log. Probably so.

Don, the place with the most petrified wood/logs is Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. It is well known and fairly popular, whereas Bisti is not well known. Also, Bisti is primarily a place for unusual rock formations with petrified wood being a secondary feature.

We visited Petrified Forest (again) on our most recent trip. Some of the logs there exceed 100 feet in length.

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