Zuni-Acoma Trail Lava Fields EarthCache
Zuni-Acoma Trail Lava Fields
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Located in New Mexico’s El Malpais National Monument, The listed coordinates takes you to the eastern trailhead which is off of NM117 on the eastern boundary of the monument, on the west side of the road look for the parking area.
The Zuni-Acoma Trail is approximately 7.5 miles in length and transects the McCarty's Lava field. The McCarty's Lava Flow is the youngest flow within El Malpais and is dated between 2000-3000 years old. The trail historically linked the pueblos of the Zuni and Acoma people. The trail was developed by their ancestors for both trade and ceremonial purposes. Crevices were filled with lava boulders creating bridges to aide their travel. Rocks were piled to mark routes across rugged flows (Known as Rock Cairns, many of which exist today along the trail).
Besides rock cairns, two other types of markers are found along the trail. The Bureau of Land Management erected concrete posts along the trail in 1976 to commemorate the 1776 Dominquez-Escalante expedition that utilized the trail. The Zuni-Acoma Trail also is part of the Continental Divide Trail and the Continental Divide Trail Blazes also are found along its entire length.
Lava types typically are referred by Hawaiian names because early scientific knowledge of volcanoes was developed in the Hawaiian Islands. There are two “basic” lava types, the smoother, ropy-textured lavas are Pahoehoe (Pronounced pah-Hoy-hoy) and the sharp, jagged lavas A’a (Pronounced Ah-ah). What type predominates this lava field?
To Log this EarthCache (It is not necessary to hike the entire trail):
• Post a picture of yourself and /or GPS in front of the lava field anywhere along the trail.
• What type of lava exists in your picture.
Bonus • Post a picture of a Rock Cairn, a Concrete Post commemorating the 1776 Dominquez-Escalante expedition, or a Continental Divide Trail Blaze. Please begin your e-mail with the name of the earthcache and make sure your log includes the number of people in your group.
The above information was compiled from the following sources: • National Park Service, 2005, Zuni-Acoma Trail, Trail Guide, El Malpais National Monument.
Placement approved by the El Malpais National Monument Staff
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