Dormant Volcano in Northern Arizona
Written: May 23 '03 (Updated Oct 22 '06)
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Pros: Unusual geological formations and unique sight- seeing
Cons: You can't climb to the top of the crater!
The Bottom Line: An interesting monument that will take very little of your time to explore.
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument |
Located just a few minutes northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a 3,040 acre preserve that showcases the remains of a once active volcanic area. This large cinder cone rises about 1,000 feet from the desert floor and is surrounded by black, volcanic rock that was once molten lava flow but has since hardened since the last eruption.
Attractions:
The center of attraction at this national monument is the volcanic peak with its large, open crater at the top. Scientists estimate that there was a major eruption around 1065 a.d. While this eruption occurred more than 900 years ago, the remains of the volcanic activity still remain around the peak.
Sunset Crater is not an actual mountain peak, although it appears as one from a distance. It’s actually the remains of the eruption. When this event took place, molten rock was shot upward from a crack in the earth’s crust. While high in the air, the molten rock solidified and then fell back down to the ground as cinders or as ash, forming a cone- shaped mound that looks like a mountain peak. Surrounding the peak are smaller remains of the molten rock and lava flows that have since solidified completely.
Around 1250 a.d. a final eruption took place at this site. This time, lava spewed out of the crack, containing a large percentage of red oxidized iron. When the lava cooled, it left behind the red cinders seen around the top of the peak, giving the appearance of a brilliant red sunset. This is how the area got its name, Sunset Crater.
Hiking/Camping:
Sunset Crater offers two hiking trails: the Lenox Trail and the Lava Flow Trail. These trials are both about one mile in total length, with the Lava Flow trail being the easier of the two. The Lava Flow Trail is a little more level and it goes around in a loop from the Visitor’s Center. The Lenox Trail is more strenuous and it involves climbing up one of the cinder cones.
There is one campground available at this site. It’s only open during the warmer months of the year- from May through October. Motor homes and tents are all permitted to use this site and it does include restrooms, but there are no electrical hookups. There are only 43 campsites, and the fee is $10 with no reservations. It operates on a first come, first served basis.
Fees/Hours of Operation:
Sunset Crater charges a little bit higher fee than other national monuments. The cost per individual is $5.00, but this also covers the entrance to another nearby national monument, Wupatki. This fee is good for seven days from the date of purchase.
The Visitor’s Center is open from 8am to 5pm in the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November. These hours are extended in June, July, and August to 8am to 6pm. In the winter months when the visitation is lowest, the Visitor’s Center is open only from 9am to 5pm. The only day of the year that the center is closed is Christmas Day.
Final Thoughts:
Sunset Crater Volcanic Monument is located in an area of northern Arizona that features several segments of the National Park System. Wupatki National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park are all located within a relatively short distance from Sunset Crater and each other.
This volcanic monument is an interesting site to see, and the dimensions, while less than gigantic, are still impressive. The peak of Sunset Crater is about 8,026 feet above sea level, with a diameter of 2,250 feet and a depth of 300 feet. Because of its elevation above sea level, this site is subject to sudden changes in weather. I visited in the summer, and the temperature was in the lower nineties during the middle part of the day. At night, it’s common for the temperature to drop by 30 degrees due to the high altitude.
When I visited here, I was hoping to have the chance to climb to the top of the peak and look down inside the crater. At first, I thought that the Lenox Trail would lead up to the peak. It doesn’t. Lenox Trail gives hikers the opportunity to climb another cinder cone in the area, but not Sunset Crater itself. There is no trail leading to the top of the peak. I learned that there once was such a trail, but it was closed in the 1970’s. Park officials and conservationists feared that the constant walking up and down the crater and the curiosity of tourists to venture off the path would lead to excessive erosion, so they closed this trail and substituted the Lenox Trail in its place.
Since this trail doesn’t lead to the top, I opted instead to hike the Lava Flow Trail. This trail goes around in a loop and it takes you close to the base of the peak. All around you is basalt- dark, black colored rock that formed from the molten lava, giving it the appearance of a giant field of charcoal. There is a little climbing to do, but not much. This loop took me about 40 minutes to complete, walking at a leisurely pace and stopping every now and then to see the sights. You need to be careful as you hike and watch your step because much of the rock is brittle and will break apart with minimal pressure. If you wander off the path, anyplace you step could easily cause you to fall.
The Visitor’s Center is a nice starting point/ending point to your visit. Here, you can learn about the geological history of the area and how it formed nearly 1,000 years ago. You can also purchase some books, mostly which relate to earthquakes, volcanoes, or geology. There is a video to view in the center, and a working seismograph. Outside the center, you will find a few vending machines and picnic tables.
This national monument receives about 190,000 annual visitors, which isn’t nearly as many as some of the more popular monuments/parks in the area. I visited in July, and it wasn’t very crowded at all, even though this was during the peak visitation season. I was a little disappointed when I discovered that tourists can no longer hike to the top of the peak, but I still enjoyed my visit.
Overall, Sunset Crater is an interesting site to see. It will have the greatest appeal to lovers of the outdoors and to those who have an active interest in geology. It contains colorful scenery complete with hiking trails, camping, and an informative Visitor’s Center that will help you learn all about this unusual volcanic monument and its geological history.
Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Reviews of Other National Monuments:
Hovenweep National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Congaree Swamp National Monument
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: June-August
Review Topic: Overview
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