The Malpais Nature Trail Across The Valley of Fires

The Malpais Nature Trail 
will take Eric & me out
onto the Lower 48 States'
newest Lava Flow.

Binoculars, in the distance

allow visitors to view the

immense Flow from

above.

Pressure from lava broke open the Earth's crust and flowed along the Tularosa Basin for 44 miles and covers 125 square miles.

The Valley of Fires Campground is on one of the few high areas (Kipukas) that the lava did not cover.

Over millennia windblown dust
& seeds created the landscape
Eric & I walk through today.

I examine the undulating

lava.

This sign invites visitors
to walk on the lava.

This ropy textured stone is

called Pahoehoe.

This small cave is the result
of a burst gas bubble that
burst as lava cooled.

This formation is called
A'a'.

 These Hawaiian terms describe the lava flows that continue to create the island chain.

This Juniper Tree is estimated

to be 400 years old.

I wonder if this is what the

Lava Flows on Iceland

look like.

This harsh & beautiful land has been set aside for

 Americans to explore & enjoy.  I'm grateful.