El Malpais National Monument

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El Malpais National Monument and National Conservation Area
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)

Location	Cibola County, New Mexico, USA
Nearest city	Grants, NM
Coordinates	34°52′38″N 108°03′03″W / 34.87722, -108.05083
Area	114,277 acres (462 km²)
Established	December 31, 1987
Visitors	143,515 (in 2004)
Governing body	National Park Service

El Malpais National Monument is off I-40 in western New Mexico, USA, near the Cibola National Forest. It is named El Malpais (Spanish for badlands) due to the extremely rough, rugged lava flow that covers much of the park. The lava flows fill a large basin rimmed by higher sandstone that forms large, wind-carved bluffs around much of the malpais. The terrain is so rocky in some parts that trails cannot be constructed in the usual manner; cairns have been constructed to guide hikers. Attractions in El Malpais include its many lava tube caves, free for all to explore unguided, and Cerro Encierro, a popular hill to hike or climb with spectacular views. Another area of interest is La Ventana Arch. A paved road leading to the arch makes it easy to explore this huge natural sandstone arch. Going through the area known as The Narrows the cliffs rise up like a fortress, yet around the bend, the cracks and fissures formed by the water have calved off chunks that lay on the ground or propped up as if leaning for support. The other side of the road opens onto the remains of ancient lava, now supporting small trees and bushes. Park at the south end of the Narrows in the picnic area and you can take a hiking trail along the rim of the mesa. There's also a scenic overlook from the high bluffs on the eastern side of the malpais. Visitors should stop at a ranger station to pick up some literature, maps, and helpful information.

The U.S. National Park Service manages El Malpais National Monument proper, while the U.S. Bureau of Land Management oversees the El Malpais National Conservation Area.

[edit] Further reading

Mabery, Marilyn (1999). The Volcanic Eruptions of El Malpais: A Guide to the Volcanic History and Formations of El Malpais National Monument. Ancient City Press, 83. ISBN 1-58096-007-3.