Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Sunset Crater

We’ve left Flagstaff with our mostly repaired van and are exploring points north and west of town.

Our afternoon is a mix of Sunset Crater and Wupatki, twin national monuments that live in the shadow of the Grand Canyon. A natural stop on our way to a brief south rim visit.

Julie taking in all of the tree’s goodness Julie taking in all of the tree’s goodness

There are some nice little hiking trails through the ponderosa pines and lava flows. Julie likes to hug and smell the fragrant vanilla scented pines.

You can’t hike on the crater proper. Photos from earlier years showed how much damage is done from hikers eroding the side.

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