Wilderness Hike to Focus on Petrified Forest
A trip into the geologic past will be the focus of the third Wilderness Hike of the summer season on Sunday, July 3 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.Backcountry Ranger John Heiser will lead the hike into the petrified forest area of the park's North Unit, traveling to a remote and seldom visited area of the park.
"Theodore Roosevelt National Park contains the third largest concentration of petrified wood in the U.S.," said Superintendent Valerie J. Naylor."Exploring the area with a ranger is an excellent way to visit this special place and gain insight into the park's geologic past."
In addition to seeing geologic features, visitors will also experience the quiet and solitude of the wilderness. Depending on group size and weather, the outing will last from 3 to 6 hours, and will cover 2 to 6 miles. Hiking may be strenuous at times; participants should wear attire appropriate for wilderness travel, especially sturdy boots and durable clothes.
Hikers should meet Heiser at the picnic area in the Juniper Campground at 9:00 a.m. CDT.Participants should bring plenty of drinking water, food, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Binoculars, cameras and a favorite poem or quote are also encouraged. In the case of extreme weather, the hike may be canceled; please call the North Unit Visitor Center at 701-842-2333 for the latest information.
Additional wilderness hikes are scheduled for August 7 and September 4.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
