The Ginkgo Petrified Forest Trail - Washington - Self Guided Walks and Trails on Waymarking.com

This trail is located about 2 miles west of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Visitor Center at Vantage. The site of this trail is the original development of the park by the CCC’s in the mid 1930s. Along the trail, 22 sections of petrified logs of 9 different species are exposed in place.
The Ginkgo Petrified Forest is the only known petrified forest that has been preserved in a lava flow. The typical petrified forest is buried in volcanic ash or covered by sediments. The concentration of petrified logs than the Vantage area is greater than any other known deposit. In addition, nowhere has a greater number of different types of petrified woods been found in a single area. More than 200 types have been recognized and the genera and species of 75 established. In general at most other petrified forests around the world no more than 10 to 20 different types of petrified wood have been identified. This is the most diverse collection of species from different ecological setting found at any petrified forest in the world. There are representative species from uplands, lowlands, swamps, drylands, temperate and warm temperate settings. This summary of the significance of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest is based on information found at (visit link)
State highway workers began finding petrified wood in the area as early as 1927. The State purchased this key 10-acre parcel in 1935 and established the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. Crews from the Civilian Conservation Corps began excavations in 1936 and by 1938 had completed the excavations, trails, a small museum and caretaker’s cottage. The State Park opened to the public in 1938. In 1953, the original visitor center/museum was replaced by a new building about 2 miles to the east looking the Columbia River. The park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965. By 1975, the park had been expanded to 7,470 acres. Ginkgo is the rarest variety of petrified wood found in the park. This summary of the history of the State Park comes from (visit link)

Fee?: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Approximate Time to Finish: 1 hour Addtional Website URL: [Web Link] Brochure or Interpretive Signs: Interpretive Plaques/Signs Rate the Walk: Wherigo Cartridge: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
A picture at the start of the Trail or Walk is greatly appreciated. Additional photos taken during the course of the walk would also be of great benefit.

If there does not appear to be a defined beginning to the trail or walk, pick a logical place (e.g. close to parking) or where information about the walk or trail can be gathered.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   09/01/2023 giacaches visited it 08/15/2022 The A-Team visited it 05/19/2022 wildernessmama visited it 09/23/2009 Volcanoguy visited it

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