After leaving the Grand Canyon we went east to the Sunset Crater but arrived after sunset http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SUCR2262.jpg . The Sunset Crater Volcano was formed when a recent eruption around 1100 A.D. formed lava fields and cinder cones. It profoundly affected the local climate and social beliefs of nearby tribes, and many had to relocate because of the disturbance. The lava flows and cinder piles look very fresh, and the site is of some of the most recent volcanic activity in the contiguous united states. Many spots in eastern Arizona have 'fresh' cinder cones resembling Sunset Crater, which makes you feel slightly disconcerted while driving through, because they look like they could erupt at any time. I didn't get any pictures because it was too dark and we only spent a short time there.
At the nearby Walnut Canyon, people had already started living and creating homes underneath the limestone overhangs above the winding canyon. Water is very scarce in this area, so this canyon and it's stream offered shelter, food and water for a number of people. Local tribes retain usage rights through tribal law to both Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon, and are allowed to visit, collect and use everything in the areas preserved by the park service. These two areas are fairly close nearby Flagstaff, Az. If you are visiting the area, it is a must to visit these areas
series of images show different walled homes and storage areas beneath
the limestone overhangs. this area can be quite hot in summer, so stone-
covered structures can provide protection from the heat, but also from the
seasonal monsoon thunderstorms that visit the area. it also can be quite
chilly and snowy at times, so these natural enclosures fitted with stone walls
can provide quite a bit of security from the local climate and all types of predators
small cacti growing near the rock walls
living/storage areas partially retained/reconstructed. when nearby railways
were built in the late 1800's, looters started tearing and blowing down structures
to try and find artifacts. there used to be quite a few more surviving walls than
are visible today
geodes and other crystal/mineral structures can be seen in different areas of rock
At the nearby Walnut Canyon, people had already started living and creating homes underneath the limestone overhangs above the winding canyon. Water is very scarce in this area, so this canyon and it's stream offered shelter, food and water for a number of people. Local tribes retain usage rights through tribal law to both Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon, and are allowed to visit, collect and use everything in the areas preserved by the park service. These two areas are fairly close nearby Flagstaff, Az. If you are visiting the area, it is a must to visit these areas
series of images show different walled homes and storage areas beneath
the limestone overhangs. this area can be quite hot in summer, so stone-
covered structures can provide protection from the heat, but also from the
seasonal monsoon thunderstorms that visit the area. it also can be quite
chilly and snowy at times, so these natural enclosures fitted with stone walls
can provide quite a bit of security from the local climate and all types of predators
small cacti growing near the rock walls
living/storage areas partially retained/reconstructed. when nearby railways
were built in the late 1800's, looters started tearing and blowing down structures
to try and find artifacts. there used to be quite a few more surviving walls than
are visible today
geodes and other crystal/mineral structures can be seen in different areas of rock
!!! Jean
