Day 36 Flagstaff, AZ to Cedar Crest, NM

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Day 36: Flagstaff, AZ to Cedar Crest, NM

Since Charlie & Kerry have already visited the two parks we planned to see today, we left separately - - we were both going to go east on I-40, but the Hixsons took a detour on NM 602 and NM 53 to visit El Morro NM and El Malpais NM. El Morro was really interesting. It is a large sandstone rock in the high desert (elev around 6200 ft) that has been a landmark for travelers since 1637 !!!! It has a small pool at its base that catches snow melt and rain water and hold something over 200,000 gallons and has not run dry in recorded history - - it is NOT a spring. There are lots of inscriptions on the rock, the oldest one having been made in 1637. Some are just barely visible, but many are in really good shape. 12 miles down the road from El Morro NM is El Malpais NM which gets its name from the lava flows, the caldera, and cinder cones is the area. There are a number of lava caves and tubes in the park, but people are no longer allowed to go in, due to a viral infection afflicting the bats called White Nose. Did get one photo of a lava tube and one of the caldera (from a short distance away). By the time we got back to I-40, the Magees were about an hour ahead of us and headed for Santa Rosa Lake SP. We decided to call it a day at Cedar Crest, NM, just east of Albuquerque. So, we will finish the trip home separately. Tonight's park is MUCH better than last nite's despite being pretty old. At least it is nice and clean - - only complaint is sand spurs that Milo picks up on his paws at every step

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Photos

Kerry & Gena
in their Bright Angel Trail T shirts

Meteor Crater
As seen from I-40 eastbound - - you'd never notice it west bound!

Sandstone cliffs
on the approach to New Mexico

First Glimps of El Morro
This rock is about 200 ft high and has inscriptions dating back to 1637.

El Morro
from the trail back to the Visitors Center.

Pond at the foot
of El Morro Rock

1637 Inscription
on Morro Rock

Gena & Milo reading
inscriptions.

El Morro blocking
out the sun

People at the Top
of El Morro inspection an old ruins at the top.

Cinder cone in
El Malpas NM

The Caldera
In El Malpais NM

Lava tube at
El Malpais NM