logs: Arizona, Summer 2003

Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments

Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki are two adjacent national monuments. Sunset Crater is dominated by its namesake, the dinstinctively colored Sunset Crater cinder cone. This 1000' volcano is the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau.

At Wupatki, a number of large and well-preserved ruins are easily accessible. The ruins are attributed to the Anasazi and Sinagua Indians and were occupied in the 1100s. Top sites include:

  • Wupatki Pueblo: The largest in the park, this 3-story structure once housed 100 people. Two smaller pueblos and a ball court are nearby.
  • Wukoki Pueblo: a two to three family pueblo nestled on top of a large rock outcrop
  • Lomaki Pueblo, built on the edge of a box canyon
  • Citadel Pueblo, built on a volcanic butte
Sunset Crater
Looking across Bonito Laval Flow towards Sunset Volcano
Kachina Peaks seen from Sunset Crater
View of San Francisco (Kachina) Peaks from Bonito Lava Flow
Lava Bubble
Lava bubble in Bonito Flow
Bonito Lava Flow
This tree looked out of place
Sunset Crater at Sunset
Sunset Crater at Sunset
Wukoki Pueblo
Wukoki Pueblo
Wukoki Pueblo
Wukoki Pueblo

Wupatki Pueblo

Wupatki Pueblo: the largest in the park, once home to about 100 people

Back to Contents

Contact
Guides     Travelogues     Other Sites