National Monument National Conservation Area El Malpais U.S. Department of the Interior

The term "El Malpais," Spanish for "Badlands," is often applied to lava flows. Perhaps the name invokes images of emptiness and desolation, but this area is truly abundant with beauty and life and awaits your exploration. Over the past 3 million years volcanoes erupted and gaseous explosions, rivers of molten rock, and flying cinders covered the area. It happened again and again over the centuries, producing this spectacular lava-filled valley of 115,000 acres. American Indians settled in the area, building pueblos nearby. They may have been here during the last eruptions, for Indian legends tell of rivers of "fire rock."

Administration El Malpais National Monument and Management is slightly different in the National Conservation Area were estab­ two areas. In the monument, cattle lished in 1987 to preserve these geologi­ grazing continues until December 31, cal and archeological resources for 1997. The land will then be kept as near visitors and for study. The monument natural as possible. In the conservation is administered by the National Park area, compatible multiple uses, includ­ Service and the conservation area by ing hunting, trapping, and cattle graz­ the Bureau of Land Management, ing, will continue. creating a joint venture by agencies American Indian access for traditional within the Department of the Interior. cultural and religious purposes will continue.

Plans are being made for facilities to backcountry permits before traveling Enjoying the Area better welcome visitors, but the great into this natural area. lava flow itself will remain "el malpais." High-clearance vehicles are advisable Lava is rough! Hiking can be off State Roads 53 and 117. Vehicles strenuous, and a fall can be serious. It are restricted to existing, designated is easy to get lost. Use extreme care roads, except in wilderness areas while exploring. Check at El Malpais where vehicles and mechanized equip­ Information Center for information and ment are prohibited.

The people of the United States, This is especially true of archeological Preservation through Congress, set aside this spe­ features. To learn all we can about the cial area so our children and our earliest inhabitants, an artifact must not children's children can enjoy it as we only be left, it must be left where it was do. The BLM and NPS can't do it found.. Location is very important to ar­ alone. We need your help. If you see cheological research. The penalties for someone removing objects, or defac­ collecting or disturbing these resour­ ing features or facilities, notify the ces, which belong to all Americans, in­ nearest park ranger or law enforcement clude fines of up to $10,000 and/or two agency. years in jail for first offenses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION El Malpais Information Center 620 E. Santa Fe Street Grants, NM 87020 £ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1991 - 576-686 Telephone (505) 285-5406 RIO SAN JOSE

SITES ALONG STATE ROAD 117 SITES ALONG STATE ROAD 53 SITES ALONG COUNTY ROAD 42 Sandstone Bluffs Overlook Zuni-Acoma Trail Big Lava Tubes An easy drive leads to a ridge of sand­ This Pueblo Indian trade route across As the crust of fresh lava cools and stone offering excellent views of the El the malpais connecting the pueblos of hardens, sometimes the still-hot innei Malpais lava flows and the surrounding Zuni and Acoma was originally an an­ lava will flow out from under it, formin countryside. Ten miles south of I-40. cient Anasazi trail. A printed trail guide lava "tubes." These tubes can be hug (NPS) is available for this 7 1/2 mile hike (one­ This one, counting collapsed sections; way), which crosses 4 of the 5 major is 17 miles long! A cairn trail leads to La Ventana Natural Arch lava flows in the area. Eighteen miles two caves: Big Skylight and Four Win­ Eroded from sandstone deposited south of I-40. (NPS) dow. High-clearance vehicle required. during the time of the dinosaurs, this Ten miles south and east of SR 53. El Calderon spectacular natural arch is the largest (NPS) accessible arch in New Mexico. Seven- This forested area offers year-round :een miles south of i-40. (BLM) exploration opportunities, including: Chain of Crater Junction Cave, Twin Craters Lava Flow, Lava found a weak area in the Earth's Cebolla Wilderness Double Sinks, El Calderon cinder cone, crust, creating a line of 30 cinder Sixty-two thousand acres of outstand­ sandstone formations, and a bat cave. cones. This wilderness study area ing forested rimrock country. East of For your health and safety, do not enter (WSA) reflects a remarkable display of SR 117. Mechanized access is the bat cave or disturb the bats. Twenty the power of nature and contains ex­ prohibited. (BLM) miles south of i-40. (NPS) cellent panoramas of the National Con­ The Narrows servation Area and National Monument. Bandera Crater/Ice Cave State Road 117 passes through a nar­ West of County Road 42. (BLM) Imagine the eruption of this majestic row corridor created when lava flowed cinder cone and visualize how the cone West Malpais Wilderness near the base of 500-foot sandstone was formed. Nearby, a lava tube con­ This wilderness area includes "Hole cliffs. (BLM) McCarty's Lava Flow in tains ice year round. A commercial in the Wall," a large ponderosa pine this area contains intriguing lava forma­ operation with a fee, this area will be tions and is well worth the effort to ex­ parkland surrounded by lava. added to the national monument in the plore. (NPS) A picnic area is located at Mechanized access is prohibited. future. Twenty-five miles south of i-40. the south end of the narrows. Eighteen Forty thousand acres, east of County miles south of i-40. Road 42. (BLM)