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Sunset Crater National MonumentFlagstaff has perhaps the world's most famous National Park as a neighbor: the Grand Canyon. But there are other areas nearby which are also cared for by the park service. I decided to visit one of them, Sunset Crater, before dropping down into Sedona. Sunset Crater National Monument is located north of Flagstaff on US 89. The turnoff to the park is well signed, along with its neighbor, Wupatki National Monument.
After stopping at the visitor's center, the first attraction you come upon is the Lenox Crater Trail. It's a short, but lung- and leg-straining climb up the outside of the crater. Not only is the path steep, but it's made mostly of a fine volcanic gravel, which is just about as fun to trudge through as deep snow or sand. The above photo shows you what you will see when you make it to the top. In the foreground is the crater itself, and in the background, Flagstaff's landmark (and Arizona's highest point) Mount Humphrey.
I'm pretty sure the winds that knocked down this tree were just as strong as the winds I experienced at the top of the crater. The howling gales are forced upward by the crater's inner slope, so they're almost undetectable until you reach the edge, and they knock you over. Add to the breeze the chilly temperatures at this elevation, and my exhaustion from climbing the steep trail, and I couldn't leave fast enough. I snapped a few pictures and headed back downhill to the parking area.
From your parking spot, you'll be able to view the Bonito Lava Flow, which covers much of the ground on this side of the park. A trail departs from another parking lot, just down the road.
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