Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona. Located just 12 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, the windswept Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers visitors a trip to Mars on Earth. It’s a climactic alien landscape of pitch black lava flows birthing Ponderosa pines and juxtaposed against a vast desert oasis to the east and towering snowcapped mountains to the west. This national monument reveals the 6-million-year history of volcanic activity that shaped the landscape and the lives of the ancient and agriculturally savvy Wupatki people who once lived in this region.
Erupting in 1064-1065, the people living in this region must have been forced from their homes, at least temporarily, as the Sunset Crater erupted. However, by 1180, thousands of people were farming on the Wupatki landscape and took advantage of the improved farming conditions that resulted from the thin layer of ash that absorbed precious moisture and helped prevent evaporation. By the time the crater had quieted down around 1250, the Wupatki people had moved on. It is believed the Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo people, who live in the region today, are descendants of the Wupatki people. In fact, the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation boarders the national monument.
The 32 mile loop of the national monument is easily traversed by car or bike if you’re super brave and fit–bring lots of water and a sweater. You’re in the desert one minute then the next you’re in the mountains where temperatures can radically change. Although you cannot climb the Sunset Crater, you can climb other cinder cones in the area, like the ones I did, such as the Lenox crater and Doney Mountain. At Sunset Crater you can hike the one-mile Lava Flow Trail at the volcano’s base or checkout the surreal Bonito Lava Flow.
Over 600 hills and mountains and cinder cones make up the San Francisco volcanic field which was created by the mighty force and power of Mother Nature. In addition, the loop takes you by several well-preserved ancient pueblo sites, such as the Wupatki Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, Citadel and Nalakihu pueblos. All of these sites are easily accessible and worth a stop.
Fun Facts:
- Cinder Cones are formed during early explosive stages of a volcanic eruption. Magma surges to the surface which causes extreme pressure to drop and gases are released. When the explosion occurs out of the central vent, solidified rock pieces fall around the vent and create the cone.
- Wupatki Pueblo homes, preserved in the monument, remain partially intact after being abandoned for more than 700 years. How many of us can say our homes have been around for more than 700 years? The largest dwelling in the region had about 100 rooms. Each structure was built using local materials, such as sandstone slabs, limestone blocks, and chunks of basalt.
Images From Sunset Crater Volcano and Surrounding Lava Flows:
