AZ2004 -- Sunset Crater National Monument

Sunset Crater is an extinct volcano NE of Flagstaff. It didnt live long, first eruption was in the 1060's. . . last major around 1100, and the final one in the 1200s that gave the top orange and red rocks (giving it it's name). Sunset Crater was one of those places i saw on the roadtrip at 15. i still havent seen anything else like it with all the broken lava rock scattered about in high arizona country. (These pics were skewed by a bad color setting on the camera)

The obligitory 'Here's Where You're at:' Sign. . . 1000 foot higher than the current ground, 8000+ feet total over sea level. . .

. . .lava rock scattered about. . .

. . .this sign marks the Bonito Lava Flow from major eruption of the 1100s. . .

. . .part of a colapsed lava tube. . .

. . .view of the crater from the lava flow. . .

. . .more lava flow. . .

. . .part of a colapsed lava tube. . .

. . .the trees have partially moved back in. . . some have died along the way. . .

. . .spruce needles in the lava rock. . .

. . .the ground up lava sand. . .

. . .view of Sunset Crater from the hiking trail. . .

. . .this is the Cinder Hills Overlook, giving a higher view of the crater from the North side. . .

. . .view of Humphreys Peak from Sunset Crater. . .

. . .another obligitory 'Here's where you're at' sign. . .

. . .the road to Wupkatki Ruins National Monument. . .

. . .painted desert in the distance.