La Ventana

Lava Falls

Sandstone Bluff Overlook

El Malpais National Monument - October 10, 2003

To be honest, I had not expected much from this particular National Monument. In my research, it had not sounded all that appealing. Goes to show how much the written word can affect us when we haven't been somewhere or seen something.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked - actually liked! - El Malpais. I was ahead of my schedule when I made my short visit. El Malpais is in Northern New Mexico just off I-40. It encompasses a large land area but the part I visited ran along side New Mexico Highway 117. I didn't know this was the place to go for the "quick visit" - the Visitor Center guide, a very nice and informative man - set me straight.

My first stop was La Ventana, which means "The Window" in Spanish. It is a stone arch cut out of sandstone. The sandstone dates way back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

My second stop, and the most enjoyable portion of the trip, was Lava Falls. Lava Falls is a basically a area covered by lava from a very ancient volcanic eruption. Not sure from where the eruption came but I believe it to be the McCartys Crater. However, there is a path of sorts thru the lava. One does not walk on a dirt path but actually upon the lava itself. The path is marked by strategically placed rock piles to help visitors like me find their way. I had a lot of fun jumping around on the very uneven lava. My picture, above, does not do it justice.

Finally, on my back north on Highway 117 to I-40, I stopped at the Sandstone Bluff Overlook. Basically a very high place with views out over the surrounding countryside to the west. There had been a recent rain, so I was able to take a picture of a small pool of water in the rock.

Another "part" of the Monument exists to the west of where I visited off of New Mexico Highway 53. I don't have a name for it, but it appears that this is a haven for hikers and people who enjoy the back country. I drove by this portion of the Monument on my way to El Morro but did not stop.

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