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Onyx Bridge At Petrified Forest National Park Felled By Gravity

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Published Date

February 7, 2021

If a petrified log falls in the petrified forest, and there's no one around, does it make a sound? When it comes to the onyx log at Petrified Forest National Park, probably not much of one, as the log was horizontal at the time of collapse.

The log was a popular destination for backcountry travelers at the park located in Arizona. Known as "Onyx Bridge," it was one of the first Off the Beaten Path routes in the park, a hike that took you into the north unit of the park's wilderness.

The petrified log, which spanned a wash, lost its battle against gravity sometime in December, according to park staff.

Onyx Bridge in Petrified Forest National Park collapsed sometime in December/NPS

Another petrified log that still stands in the form of a bridge -- which you're not allowed to cross -- is known as the Agate Bridge. While it was supported with concrete in 1917, gravity is tugging on that, too, and the park is not planning to prevent its eventual collapse from happening.

Agate Bridge, Petrified Forest National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

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Comments

Submitted by WaltD on February 10, 2021 - 7:07pm.

I would disagree with the NPS not actyively supporting Agate Bridge.  Generations into the future will appreciate a still-standing petriifed brige, no matter the obvious efforts to support it.  There are many other examples of the NPS provding support and protection to natural fixtures.  And the costs would be minimal.


Submitted by Tom D on November 9, 2021 - 2:46pm.

NPS should never have placed the concrete support in the first place.  The sooner it is gone, the better.


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