Almost 1,000 years ago, a volcano spewed hot magma – gases and rock – across the landscape in what would become Northern Arizona. What resulted is now called Sunset Crater National Monument.

Traveling to Sunset Crater is an easy drive from modern-day Flagstaff, Arizona. In some areas of the park, though, it feels as though you might be on the moon.

Sunset Crater dunes

Scientists have pegged the volcanic eruption as occurring in the years 1,064-65. The results of the eruption were felt in the indigenous community of farmers who lost over 64, 000 acres of land to the black, sterile volcanic aftermath.

Remains of a lava cone

The black soil – not yet broken down by lichen and natural processes so it can support life again- is a strange sight with some intrepid trees that have taken root and have managed to grow. There are few plants growing, even after a millennium.

TRAILS

The “Lava Flow Trail,” which we followed, has an accessible smaller section (1/4 mile) with an overlook, but the longer trail (1 mile) brings you into the midst of the volcanic aftermath. There are black, rubble-filled fields, with clear indications of how the flow distributed the magma. At times, the black looks pebbly, other times it looks almost like soot. In any case, it is a strange feeling to see and walk on the vast stretches of black.

Rubble and sparse growth punctuate the landscape

There is another trail, the Lenox Crater Trail (1 mile also, but what a mile – steep up and down) that takes you right near the rim of the volcano, but we passed on that since we had other places to see. You see, we were taking advantage of the free parks day –which we publicized last week – to see the three major sites north of Flagstaff. In one very exhausting but exhilarating day, we saw Sunset Crater, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument. They are easy drives from Flagstaff and each other, but show three very different views of life on earth.

Another Arizona Adventure

Many people were probably taking the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon on this last free National Parks weekend, but they were going to have to share their visit time with President Obama and his family. We chose to see these other wonders of nature and man instead.

Visitor Center Hours

The Visitor Center is open all year, except December 25.

Hours:

November – April 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

May – October 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

(Much of Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year long.)

http://www.nps.gov/sucr

On Thursday, come back for a – very strenuous – visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument, which is near Sunset Crater National Monument.

Tomorrow…We travel to Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico.

Take a look at our shop – on the top – where you can pop on a shirt, hat or mug or other logo item. And, if you love one of our blog photos, let us know which day and photo and we can have a shirt, hat, mug, mouse pad or other item made especially for YOU!