After spending the first half of the day in Albuquerque, we set off for New Mexico’s ”Land of Fire and Ice” the Bandera Volcano and Ice Cave. Located in the heart of El Malpais (the badlands) the Bandera Volcano erupted around 10,000 years ago. It’s lava flow is nearly 23 miles long! The crater is nearly 1200 feet wide at the top and roughly 750 feet deep. We walked up the Volcano Trail to the lookout point. The elevation there is 8122 feet above sea level – 250 feet below the rim. David disputes this, but I am convinced that due to some odd topographic trickery, the walk both to and from the lookout point is up hill!
The Bander Volcano
Dann and David on the lava flow
On the lava flow
At the lookout point
The Ice Cave, located below the volcano, never gets about 31 Degrees. Melting snow and rain water runs into the cave and freezes. Currently the floor is about 20 feet thick. The oldest ice dates back over 1100 years!
Next update - El Morro National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki.
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