The Crystal Forest is so named because many of the logs found here contained clear quartz and purple amethyst crystals making for beautiful logs. Unfortunately, souvenir hunters helped themselves long ago, taking the best samples away. A few crystallized logs remain but the more typical petrified logs are more abundant. The disappearance of the crystal logs led to the area’s ultimate protection as a National Monument in 1906 and finally a National Park in 1962.

Arizona – The Crystal Forest

Arizona – The Crystal Forest – From Petrified Wood to Crystal

It took a while, but we now move on to another state …..