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!
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.
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.
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.
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https://beautifulwashington.com/eastern-washington/hiking/columbia-plateau-area/371-ginkgo-petrified-forest-backcountry.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=#sigProIdc14dbf7b66
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