Lava Falls Trail,
El Malpais National Monument
Three thousand years ago a volcanic eruption at El Malpais National Monument formed the McCarty's lava flow, making this the youngest volcanic eruption at El Malpais National Monument.
The Lava Falls Trail is a short loop trail with little elevation change over volcanic rock. Stop by the visitor center and pick up a trail guide — the guide corresponds with the numbered markers on the trail for the many different and distinctive features of the lava flow.
Hiking at El Malpais can be difficult due to the cairns blending in with the geological features of the monument — it's very easy to wander off the trail and become disorientated and even worse, lost. It is strongly recommended to hike with a GPS and map for backcountry exploration as compasses will not function correctly on the trails due to the high levels of iron within the lava field.
Elevation
The Lava Falls Trail has a maximum elevation of 7,148 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,093 ft. and an elevation range of 55 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.9 mi | 7,093 ft | 7,148 ft | 55 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 27 min | 4.6 | 55 ft | 72 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 28 min | 6.0 | 72 ft | 55 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Lava Falls Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Ice Caves SE, NM
- North Topo Map: North Pasture, NM
- Northeast Topo Map: Laguna Honda, NM
- West Topo Map: York Ranch, NM
- Topo Map: Sand Canyon, NM
- East Topo Map: Cebollita Peak, NM
- Southwest Topo Map: York Ranch SE, NM
- South Topo Map: Bonine Canyon, NM
- Southeast Topo Map: Wild Horse Canyon, NM
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Lava Falls Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Lava Falls Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.9 miles (1.5 km) or 2,098 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Lava Falls Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 27 minutes in one direction and in 28 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.