The name Crystal Forest come from the fact that the trees of Crystal Forest were once covered in sparkling quartz and purple amethyst crystals that developed in the hollows of the logs as the trees petrified. Unfortunately, in the late 1800s, before the establishment of Petrified Forest National Monument, many ancient logs were dynamited by those seeking the semi-precious gems. Massive petrified trees were blasted into the small chips you can still see scattered about alongside the trail.