El Malpais is a geologic treasure. Its literal translation from Spanish means ‘bad country’ and is pronounced like “el mal-pie-ees”. But this place is bad, bad to the bone and no matter from which way into the park, you’re going to see something different, and here’s why:
Entering from I-40 West:
The park is home to New Mexico’s second largest natural-made arch. Nestled in the green of the high desert and devilishly aromatic sagebrush is Ventana Arch. It was created from the freezing of glacial waters within the rock that later thawed causing much of it to break away. In lieu, what's left is a sturdy, slightly blackened formation framed by New Mexico's unforgiving clear blue skies and a pinot-juniper forest.
Further along on this trail of ancients is a wild world of enjoyable views and forever changing landscapes. Formed by three volcanoes that channeled into the area during a massive prehistoric eruption, the space today is a series of uneven lava terrain and extreme backcountry spectacles. As you enter the national preserve, one is immediately engulfed by the complexity of monumental rock, charred black from years of oxidization that continues to withstand the magnificence of our forever-modifying world.
Juniper and wild Russian sage (an invasive species not actually from Russia, but native to southwestern and central Asia, which was introduced to the steppes of 19th century Russia and remains a popular flowering perennial plant to this day) take over one's senses entirely, further adding to this unique scenic experience.
The bad country’s volcanic fields span miles and are scattered with several cinder cones and many lava tube caves. This feature is named Pahoehoe and A’a’lava after the indigenous Zuni-Bandera and Acoma Puebloans who settled here long ago.
Entering from Highway 53 South:
Since well before the birth of the United States, travelers passing through today’s territory of New Mexico would hit a particular spot on the ancient east-west trail that today is known as El Morro National Monument. Not located within El Malpais National Conversation Area like that of Ventana Arch, but rather situated further west on the same Trail of Ancients, El Morro is considered one of New Mexico’s most important historic gems that provides insight into a history shrouded by wars, secrecy and the human lust for adventure. Since ancient times, many generations and types of travelers would leave their inscriptions and stories engraved in the sandstone rock face, known today as Inscription Trail, and highlighting the difficulties that they faced and the treasures they wished to find along the way.
Some of the more famously recognized signatures are those of the brave men, women and children traveling in the the Rose-Baley Party headed for California. This was the first European American emigrant wagon train to traverse the 35th parallel route known as Beale's Wagon Road. How they came to be at El Morro is a story very typical of its time; while en route to California, the party was ambushed by Mohave warriors who killed thirteen and injured another thirteen members of the Rose-Baley Party. In an effort to avoid further assaults, the party backtracked to today’s site of El Morro, left their signatures for all to know that they had been, and never continued on their way to California.
El Malpais and El Morro are both free-of-charge locations to visit and both are located about a 2-hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico heading West.
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