El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
April 27-29, 2010
It was truly a unique and in some ways, eerie experience when we explored the well preserved volcanic remains of El Malpais National Monument. Neither one of us had ever explored the landscape of a volcanic eruption nor had we ever learned much about the essence of volcanic activity. The park was created over a million years during which time, molten lava spread out over the high desert from dozens of eruptions to create cinder cones, collapses, trenches and caves. The stark landscape preserves one of the best volcanic records in the world. While here, we also toured a privately owned volcanic area and cave called Bandera Crater and Ice Cave.
Our Accommodations - El Morro Campground
We stayed at a lovely little place called El Morro National Monument Campground located next to another monument in the area by the same name (also worth exploring).
El Calderon Volcano - El Malpais National Monument Park
El Calderon Volcano is a 3 mile loop which takes you through lava caves, collapses and lava tubes. The landscape isn't as spectacular as the Big Tubes area but it's much easier to reach and provides an array of features to explore.
The beginning of the trail looking back towards our RV
Junction Cave
When the volcano in this area erupted 115,000 years ago, the molten lava flowing under the surface of the ground, eventually cooled, and created hollow structures called "lava tubes". Junction Cave was created when a lava tube collapsed and exposed an entrance and exit into the cave.
Big Tubes Trail - El Malpais National Monument
The Big Tubes was a fantastic hike! To reach the trail head, you must drive 10 miles down a dirt road. It was a bit eerie, since we were the only people out there. The Big Tubes was once again, formed by a volcanic eruption that created lava tubes beneath the surface of the ground which then collapsed, creating lava tube caves.
Cairn Markers
The Big Tubes Trail had four main stops to explore and was marked only by rock pile structures called "cairns". Because the terrain was a massive field of lava, it all looked exactly same. Therefore, it was extremely important that we located our next "cairn" before leaving the one were were at. Otherwise, it was very easy to get lost and the area was massive.
Seven Bridges
These were lava tubes that had completely collapsed except for a small arch of earth (bridges).
Four Windows Cave
As the name suggests, it was a huge cave that had 4 holes in the roof letting in sunlight.
Bandera Crater and Ice Cave
The Bandera Crater and Ice Cave is a privately owned area run by the same family for generations. The Bandera volcano erupted approximately 10,000 years ago, leaving behind a crater 800 feet in depth and is one of the most accessible craters in the country to view.
The Ice Cave is an extremely cold cave located inside a collapsed lava tube. Nobody knows how or why it was first formed. It continues to exist because of continual snow and rain fall that seep into the cave and freeze due to the perpetual temperature of 0 degrees (31 F). It was a strange contrast since the outside temperature was really hot, yet as you stood there in front of the cave, it was freezing.