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Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Backcountry Trail

Parent Category: Hiking
Created: 04 June 2015
Location: Eastern Washington
Roundtrip: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 550 ft
Highest Point: 1200 ft
GPS Coordinates: N 46 56.958 W 120 0.552
Visitor’s Information:

Discover Pass Required

Pictures below will take you on a virtual tour through the backcontry of the unusual forest!

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington
General Information:

Ginkgo Petrified Forest, as we have already mentioned in our previous articles, is one of the most unique forests on Earth. There are two variants of exploring the forest. The first option is the Ginkgo Interpretive Trail – an easy route that takes hikes along the beautiful and unusual exhibits of “rock” trees, and the second one is backcountry trails.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Backcountry offers wonderful shrub-steppe views as well as the feeling of freedom. Backcountry trail is a 5-mile (roundtrip) trail that takes its’ beginning from Recreation Road and takes you above gorgeous basalt cliffs.

Enjoy fabulous views of the Columbia River and Babcock Bench. Hikers will surely enjoy spring wildflower displays all over a high bench that overlooks the magnificent Columbia River. Spring is time for blooming Robinson’s onion, balsamroot, lupine, phlox, desert buckwheat and bitterroot.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

We have already written that there are several theories on how this forest was mineralized. Some of the professionals agree that such kind of the forest existed in this region years ago and others think that these trees were brought to the region by the tides.

These pictures were taken in April, 2015

Directions:

From I-90

Take exit 136 for Huntzinger Rd. Drive one mile, and turn right on Recreation Rd. Continue 0.5 mile and park on the shoulder.

GPS Coordinates: N 46 56.958 W 120 0.552

In order to get directions click on the map below:

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Alex Mandryko

Information: Marina Petrova