Today we visited TWO incredible NATIONAL MONUMENTS in one day, both on the northwest outskirts of Flagstaff. In the morning we visited the beautiful SUNSET CRATER NATIONAL MONUMENT followed by the historical WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT in the afternoon. The Sunset Crater National Monument rises 1,000 feet from the surrounding high level plain, topping out at an elevation of 8,029 FEET, lined by tall ponderosa pine trees. It is the youngest of 600 VOLCANOS/CINDER CONES, erupting in 1064 AD, spewing over 1 billion tons volcanic material, and burning over 14,000 acres of fertile farmland. Sunset Crater is part of a 2,200 square mile area comprised of lava flows, cinder cones, spatter cones and squeeze-ups, collectively known as the SAN FRANCISCO VOLCANIC FIELD. Hundreds of volcanic eruptions over the years have given life to this region’s landscape. As a measuring stick, the tallest peak in the San Francisco volcanic field is HUMPHREYS PEAK at an impressive 12,633 foot elevation. This was a geologically interesting, somewhat eerie, but beautiful natural wonder to visit!!!!!!
Full-time RV'rs, retired and ready to make a difference
