Arizona · National Park trail

Giant Logs Trail Stop #2

in Arizona

Stop 2: Mather Plaque In the early 1900s, the need to operate and protect parks was clear, but just who should take responsibility was unclear. Stephen T. Mather was an avid outdoorsman, conservationist, born marketer, and millionaire industrialist with connections in Washington, DC.

In 1914 Mather began to campaign for the creation of a park management bureau. When President Woodrow Wilson approved the National Park Act in 1916, the National Park Service was born. Mather was appointed the agency’s first director.Stephen T.

Mather was one of the first and best advocates of the National Park System. He wanted to not only protect the lands but promote them. He recognized that every visitor was a potential steward. Mather died in 1930 and is posthumously honored by these bronze markers bearing his image.

States: Arizona
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ · 104 mi · ~3.0 hr drive
Centroid coords: 34.8159°, -109.8661°

About Petrified Forest National Park

National Park

This trail is inside Petrified Forest National Park, a national park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/giant-logs-trail-stop-2.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Giant Logs Trail Stop #2 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.