Lava Flow Trail,
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Located 13.4 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
622 Steps 1  (0.3 mi)
Trails › National Monuments › Sunset Crater Volcano › Lava Flow Trail

Approximately 950 years ago the volcano of Sunset Crater erupted and changed the surrounding landscape to what you see today. The Lava Flow Trail is a short, self-guided trail at the base of the now extinct Sunset Crater. The trail follows the lava flow and cinder that spewed from the volcano. Sunset Crater cinder cone is the youngest of 600 volcanoes within the San Francisco Volcanic Field ranging in ages from 6 million years to 1000 years.

Lava Flow Trail

Elevation

The Lava Flow Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,980 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,956 ft. and an elevation range of 24 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.3 mi6,956 ft6,980 ft24 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
7 min2.227 ft39 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
7 min3.239 ft27 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

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 Flow 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

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: White Horse Hills, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: O'Leary Peak, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Strawberry Crater, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Humphreys Peak, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Sunset Crater West, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Sunset Crater East, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Flagstaff West, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Flagstaff East, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Winona, AZ

FAQ

What is the length of the Lava Flow Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.3 miles (0.5 km) or 622 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Lava Flow Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 7 minutes in one direction and in 7 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)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.