One of the most impressive places to visit in the winter to experience such stark contrasts of ice and fire is Sunset Crater National Monument. Formed during the 1,000-year-old “Curtain of Fire” eruption, the monument is located 28 miles northeast of Flagstaff and features large cinder cones, basaltic aa lava flows, collapsed lava tunnels and small splashes. boasts other volcanic features. corn. The black lava-covered landscape here contrasts starkly with the evergreen ponderosa pines of Coconino National Forest and the deep greens, blues, yellows, oranges, pinks, and northern painted deserts of Kaibab National Forest. In winter, these contrasts are even more pronounced as sharp ebony rocks protrude from beneath a layer of pristine white snow.

The visuals here in winter can only be described as surreal. The black-and-white divide is now even more pronounced in the spring of 2022 as a result of the tunnel fire that devoured Sunset’s crater. It erupted only 10 years ago, not 1000 years ago. Luckily for visitors to the monument, Sunset Crater was mostly intact and the damage was mostly superficial. Two of his hiking trails here, Lava’s Edge and Lenox Crater Trails, are still closed for repairs. However, the other he two aa trails and the lava flow trail remain open.

A winter visit to this area is certainly recommended. Not only will you see the volcanic terrain under a unique lens, but you will also encounter small crowds. Due to variable snowfall, some features may not be accessible or visible, but these once-burning mounds contain something completely otherworldly, sleeping peacefully under the ice. You can read about the history of this place as you walk the trails through this exotic landscape. When and how it was formed, speculations and theories about the indigenous people who once lived in the area, and efforts made today to preserve the monument. Turns out you’re not the only one whose geological formations here seem to exist entirely on another planet. NASA scientists were also impressed by the otherworldlyness of the place and used it as a training ground for astronauts. A winter visit to the alien landscape of Sunset Crater simply enhances the ‘extraterrestrial’ experience.

After passing through Sunset Crater National Monument, your visitor pass will take you 18 miles down the Loop Road to Wupatki National Monument. During this journey, the land traversed by the road undergoes very impressive geological changes. Leaving Sunset Crater, Coconino National Forest’s ponderosa pines subtly transition to Kaibab’s juniper and pinion pines, eventually giving way to the serene canyons and grasslands of the Painted Desert. Snow doesn’t often reach the land visible southwest of the San Francisco Peaks here. It is here that the ancestral Pueblo people, sometimes called Anasazi, built their community. It is also where the indigenous people who lived in these communities at the time witnessed the Sunset Crater eruption. Much of the history of these people remains unknown, but some of their stone pueblos still stand at Wupatki today. Through this monument you can visit the Upaki Pueblo, Ukoki Pueblo, Citadel and Narakihu Pueblo, Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblo. The Wupatki Pueblo, the largest freestanding pueblo in northern Arizona, has three floors and he has 100 rooms, and above ground is a kiva or community his room, a Hohokam-style ball court, and a geological formation known as a fumarole. There is a characteristic. Or take in air depending on the outside pressure. This particular location is probably the most impressive of all Wupatki has to offer, but others are certainly worth a visit. Witnessing the sunset from the Citadel Pueblo is like stepping back in time. As you explore Wupatki and its various cultural sites, you’ll learn about the uses of these Pueblo native cultures, theories about when and how they were built, and what life was like on the northern Arizona plains. Use your imagination to find out what happened. Looking southwest of the San Francisco Peaks, it’s almost easy to imagine the height of the original stratovolcano known today as Arizona’s Isle of the Sky.

A winter visit to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument is well worth the short drive from Flagstaff. Cold weather or snow may close the trail, but it will be less crowded during your visit. This is ideal for those who wish to silence their imagination with the possibilities of the past. Plus, something about the way the winter sun hits the land only seems to accentuate the vast array of deep colors that are unique to the region, creating deeper, more meaningful experiences and beautiful photography opportunities. If you’re lucky enough to visit when there’s snow on the ground, you’ll experience the most contrasting beauty the land has to offer.