Valley of Fires Recreation Area
As we traveled west of Smokey Bear, we noticed that if we continued just a few miles past Carrizozo where we had planned to turn south, we would arrive at the Valley of Fires Recreation Area and the Malpais Lava Flow. About 5000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted sending lava 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling it with molten rock. This lava flow, one of the youngest in the continental U.S., is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick, and covers 125 square miles. Out of those 125 miles, we explored the ¾ mile Malpais Nature Trail where we were treated to desert flora peeking up amidst the lava.
But first we
admired the buzzards soaring over the lava field (and hoped they weren’t
admiring us too much!)
Then it was off to explore the trail and the variety of delights it had to offer.
And lo and behold, Kendall and Taz found a bit of shade for a well-deserved rest!
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