Today I decided to go to Craters of the Moon National Monument. And it was pretty cool.
It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to go here. It took all day, and with my extra stops and, uhh, detours (kinda got lost), I went over 500 miles. A pretty hefty day of riding.
Craters of the Moon is a geological formation that was the result of volcanic activity in Idaho about 2,000 years ago. Today it is a vast plain of black volcanic rock where few plants and animals have found ways to survive.
If you’re going to visit, bring lots of water. There is little water provided in the park, and it is super hot.
Here are the attractions I saw in the Park.
Inferno Cone
While this might look like a volcano, this is actually the piled-up residue from other forms volcanic activity nearby. The lava that was sprayed up in the air would then be blown up into a mountain next to the lava spout.
This photo from the top of the Inferno Cone is probably the best depiction of the park as a whole. Just miles and miles of black rock and little to no vegitation.
Spatter Cones
After the Inferno Cone, I went to the nearby Spatter Cones. These are much smaller, but they are pretty cool because you were able to look down into the tube that the lava came out of.
Indian Lava Tunnel
The last spot I visited was the Dewdrop cave and the Indian Lava Tunnel. You need a free permit to enter these to prevent the spread of fungus that kills bats.
One of the best parts of my trip was going into Dewdrop cave just because it was so cool (as in temperature) down there. It was a much-needed relief from the summer heat.
Then there was the Indian Lava Tube. You are allowed to go in one side and come out the other. There is no paved path either, so it was quite fun navigating the rocky terrain.
I would definitely recommend going to this monument if given the opportunity. It provides a landscape unlike almost anywhere else on Earth. Mountains and forests are nice, but this was something unique.
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