Flagstaff Adventures: Sunset Crater

Exploring Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument near Flagstaff, AZ, is an adventure into a landscape shaped by volcanic activity that occurred about 900 years ago. The eruption of Sunset Crater, which created the youngest volcano in the area, left a vivid landscape of jagged lava flows, cinder fields, and new ecosystems emerging from the barren terrain. 

What to Expect:  

• Visitor Center: Start at the visitor center to learn about the eruption and the geology of the region. Exhibits explain the volcanic activity and how the landscape has changed over time.
• Lava Flow Trail: This is a must-see! A short, easy trail that winds through an ancient lava flow, offering a close-up look at the rugged terrain created by the volcanic eruption. You’ll see dramatic formations of basalt rock and panoramic views of the crater itself.
• Bonito Lava Flow: This area showcases a vast expanse of black, jagged lava. The contrast between the dark lava and the bright green ponderosa pines makes for stunning scenery.
• Lenox Crater Trail: This 1.6-mile round-trip hike takes you to the rim of a smaller crater near Sunset Crater. It’s a moderate climb with rewarding views of the surrounding volcanic field and the San Francisco Peaks.
• No Climbing on the Crater: Climbing Sunset Crater is prohibited to protect the delicate environment. However, you can get excellent views of it from various points along the trails.

Landscape and Wildlife:

• Volcanic Cinders and Ash Fields: Sunset Crater’s eruption blanketed the area in volcanic ash and cinders, creating a stark yet beautiful landscape that contrasts sharply with the surrounding forests.
• Wildlife: Look for Abert’s squirrels, mule deer, and a variety of birds that now thrive in the area, which has recovered from the volcanic devastation.

Human History:

People had been living in and around the volcanic hills of northern Arizona for generations before Sunset Crater Volcano erupted. To the Hopi, those people are the Hisatsinom, the people who came before. In the archeological literature, they are the Sinagua or the Ancestral Puebloan people. They were farmers, living all around what is now the Flagstaff area in villages and towns across the lands they tended. Their homes were pithouses, dug partially into the ground. These people lived their lives in a landscape much like what we see today: ponserosa forests and open meadows, framed by the San Francisco Peaks and other ancient volcanoes. Then, about a thousand years ago, a new volcano emerged literally before their eyes.
Warnings that something was about to occur came days or weeks ahead of time, in the form of earthquakes. No evidence has been found that people died as a direct result of the eruption, so it seems there was enough warning for people to evacuate from their homes. After the eruption, pithouses for miles around were burned and filled with cinders, and others were buried beneath the lava.

People relocated to areas like Walnut Canyon and Wupatki. Their descendants, including the Hopi and A:shiwi, still live nearby; memories of the eruption live on in their stories and traditions. Indigenous names of the volcano often describe the eruption, like the Apache Ha Gudní Káá, which translates to "Where It Burned." Other names describe the resulting volcano, like the Hopi Palatsmo, "Red Hill" and the Diné Dzil Bilátah Litsoí, "Yellow-Tipped Mountain."

Combine with a Trip to Wupatki National Monument:

Just north of Sunset Crater, you can explore the ancient pueblos at Wupatki National Monument, where prehistoric Native American communities lived in a landscape transformed by the eruption. The contrast between these ruins and the volcanic terrain adds a historical depth to the experience.

Best Time to Visit:

• Spring and Fall: The weather is cooler, making it ideal for hiking and exploring the outdoor trails. Summer can be hot, though the higher elevation of around 7,000 feet keeps it cooler than the desert regions.
• Winter: Snow may cover the landscape, providing a beautiful contrast with the black lava, but trails may be more difficult to navigate.

Practical Tips:

• Bring Water: The dry, high-altitude environment can be dehydrating, so bring plenty of water, especially in the warmer months.
• Stay on Marked Trails: To protect the fragile volcanic landscape, always stay on designated paths.
• Check for Fees: There’s a small entrance fee, which also covers Wupatki National Monument.

It’s a fascinating mix of natural history, geology, and stunning views, making it an excellent day trip or part of a larger adventure through Northern Arizona.

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