Blue Mesa Trail,
Petrified Forest National Park

Located 23.2 miles from Holbrook, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
1,631 Steps 1  (0.8 mi)
Trails › National Parks › Petrified Forest › Blue Mesa Trail

The Blue Mesa Trail is accessed via the Blue Mesa Loop Road. A steep paved trail zigzags to the top where views of the Blue Mesa Badlands and sandstone beds will greet you. The most prominent feature is Newspaper Rock, an area with over 650 Petroglyphs that were carved in this small area by generations of Ancestral Puebloans.

Blue Mesa TrailBlue Mesa Trail, Petrified ForestBlue Mesa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park

Elevation

The Blue Mesa Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,602 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,493 ft. and an elevation range of 109 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.8 mi5,493 ft5,602 ft109 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
17 min1.215 ft100 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
17 min8.3100 ft15 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Blue Mesa Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Little Lithodendron Tank, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: Kachina Point, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Pinta, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Carrizo Butte, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Adamana, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Sorrel Horse Mesa, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Padilla Tank, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Agate House, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Milky Ranch, AZ

FAQ

What is the length of the Blue Mesa Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.8 miles (1.2 km) or 1,631 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Blue Mesa Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 17 minutes in one direction and in 17 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Blue Mesa TrailGiant Logs TrailLong Logs Trail

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.