Craters of the Moon Loop Road - Idaho Scenic Drives
Before beginning your exploration of the Loop Road stop at the Visitors Center. The center displays and a short video describe the park's lava phenomena, life, history, and the Earth processes creating them. Check on schedules of conducted walks and evening programs, and examine the sales publications about the park. Ask questions about both the park and your explorations.
The 7-mile loop road takes you deeper into the park's unique scenic attractions. Side trips
lead to points outlined below. Most of the drive is one way. Several spur roads and
trailheads enable you to explore Craters of the Moon even further. The trails invite foot
travel. You can make the drive, including several short walks in your itinerary, in about 2
hours.
North Crater Flow
At this first stop a short trail crosses the flow to a group of
monoliths or crater wall fragments transported by lava flows. This flow is one of the
youngest and here the Triple Twist Tree suggests, because of its 1,350 growth rings, that
these eruptions ceased only 2,000 years ago. You see fine examples of both ropy pahoehoe
lava and a'a lava flows on North Crater Flow. Just up the road is the North Crater Trail,
Take this longer, steep trail to peer into a volcano vent.
Devil's Orchard
After the road skirts Paisley Cone, on the east side stands Devils
Orchard. This group of lava fragments stands like islands in a sea of cinders. A short spur
road leads to a self-guiding trail through these weird features. As you walk this 1/2-mile
trail, you will see how people have had an impact on this lava landscape and what is being
done to protect it today. This barrier-free trail is designed to provide access to all
people.
Inferno Cone Viewpoint
A volcanic landscape of cinder cones spreads before you
to the distant mountain ranges beyond. Cool, moist north slopes of the cones have noticeably
more vegetation than the drier south slopes. From the summit of Inferno Cone - a short,
steep walk-you can easily recognize the chain of cinder cones along the Great Rift.
Big Cinder Butte
Towers above the lava plain in the distance. This is one of the largest purely basaltic cinder cones in the world.
Big Craters and Spatter Cones Area
Spatter cones formed along the Great Rift
fissure where clots of pasty lava stuck together when they fell. The material and forces of
these eruptions originated at depths of nearly 37 miles within the Earth. To protect these
fragile volcanic features, you are required to stay on trails in this area.
Trails to Tree Molds and Wilderness
A spur road just beyond Inferno Cone takes
you to trails to the Tree Molds Area, Trench Mortar Flats, and the Craters of the Moon
Wilderness. Tree molds formed where molten lava flows encased trees and then hardened.
The cylindrical molds that remained after the wood rotted away range from a few inches to
just under 3 feet in diameter. Note: All backcountry camping requires a permit available at
the Visitor Center.
Cave Area
At this last stop on the loop road take a 1/2-mile walk to the lava tubes and see Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Beauty, and Surprise Caves and the Indian Tunnel. You need to carry artificial light in all caves but Indian Tunnel.
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from Away.com
