Arizona · National Park trail

Giant Logs Trail Stop #6

in Arizona

Stop 6: Old Faithful This giant of Giant Logs measures 35 feet (10.6 m) long and weighs approximately 44 tons (39,900 kg).Previously called names like “The Monarch” and “Major Domo,” this impressive log has been a favorite visitor attraction for years. In the late 1920s, the park superintendent’s wife said the log was to Petrified Forest what the Old Faithful geyser is to Yellowstone National Park. From this the name “Old Faithful” stuck.

Notice that fragments at the base are mortared together? In 1962, lightning struck and fractured the log. At that time, the National Park Service repaired the damage and built a retaining wall to slow erosion.

Attitudes about resource management in our national parks have changed over the years; a log would not be glued back together today. YOUR OWN REPHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT Petrified Forest has hosted many great scientific minds. Perhaps you recognize the face of this visitor?

States: Arizona
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ · 104 mi · ~3.0 hr drive
Centroid coords: 34.8155°, -109.8669°

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-6.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 #6 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.