El Malpais National Monument

The term El Malpais (“the Badlands”) is used locally to refer to lava flows. I did not know this when I came to this Ntnl Monument. From the satellite view it is clear; a huge black smudge blankets the area south of Grants, NM. It’s volcanic features include a string of thirty volcanoes, jagged lava for miles, a lava cave that runs 17 miles long, and fragile ice caves. My first views of the lava was on Interstate 40 which runs directly through some of the lava which at first glance looks like piles of discarded asphalt pieces just off the highway. It takes a second to realize that this is the lava… in all it’s jagged glory.

I set out to check out the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook (the sandstone dates back 138 million years) which offers excellent vista views of of the lava flows and the surrounding countryside. As I turned onto the 1.5 mile dirt road to access the overlook, I instantly wished they (anyone!) had mentioned the extreme-washboard dirt road that needed to be traveled to get these views. I may have passed it by I guess, so maybe it was best to not know ahead of time. It was a hair-raising drive, but the view was spectacular. Even though it is hard to tell that there is any lava down below, as long as you know this ahead of time you can see the miles-wide river of lava that once flowed here.

Further south in Hwy 117 is the largest of New Mexico’s readily reached natural arches; the La Ventana Natural Arch. La Ventana’s sandstone dates back to the dinosaurs. While visible from the roadway and parking area, I took the short 1/4 mile hike to get a closer view. Yes, the view was ‘closer’ but I feel the view carried more weight from the 1.4 mile further back. Still, it was worth the few minute hike to see it closer.

On the other side of the National Monument is the El Calderon area which offers you an easy peak into Junction Cave, formed by the lava flow. Although it is off-limits to explore these caves without a permit, I did get to climb down a few feet just to the “front door” to get a honest feel of it. Other caves are just up the path from Junction Cave, including one that houses bats, but the weather was turning with snow just beginning to fall… so I turned tail and ran back to the RV park for warmth and rest.