Valley Of Fire

This is a good representation of what this area looks like.

This screenshot from Google Maps shows the black basalt malpais area.

I made another stop in New Mexico at what is called the Valley of Fire. This is a lava flow that fills part of the north end of the Tularosa Basin. Of all the places I have been in my life, I would probably list this as the most unfriendly environment I have ever seen. First off, it is really hot and dry like all the surrounding area. Secondly, it is filled with black basalt lava flow which is a sharp edged, broken blocky kind of stuff that will wear through leather in no time flat. Thirdly, what grows there are some of the most defensive plants you can find. Yikes.

The desert plants can still find a spot to grow here.

You could not pay me enough to take a long hike here.

As you drive north along Highway 54 after leaving Tularosa, you begin to see the valley filled with black rock. From a distance it is hard to tell exactly what you are seeing. All you can see is that the valley is full of something black. This goes on for miles. At Carrizozo, there is a junction with Highway 360 that goes right on across the malpais. They have a Valley of Fire recreation area but it was closed when I came through so was unable to stop and take the nature trail that loops out into the malpais.

The cracked and squeezed patterns in the rock stand out.

A look at the rock under a macro lens.

This surface is much worse than sandpaper. The edges of these tiny jagged points are razor sharp.

The rock is porous.

There is a scenic turnout along 360 so you can get out and get a real good look at this beautiful scenery. That is where I took these pictures.

The plants and the rocks here just say “leave me alone!”