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Day 21: Craters of the Moon National Monument
2009.07.20
It took us about two and half hours to reach here from our campsite at Mountain Home. We started our journey late in the afternoon to avoid hiking under the hot sun. The visitor center was about to close in an hour's time when we reached here at almost 5pm. Nevertheless, the park is open 24 hours.
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It took us about two and half hours to reach here from our campsite at Mountain Home. We started our journey late in the afternoon to avoid hiking under the hot sun. The visitor center was about to close in an hour's time when we reached here at almost 5pm. Nevertheless, the park is open 24 hours.
1
We made a point to hike to the top of this cinder called Inferno Cone. When I came here with D last time during our student days, about 17 years ago (that long eh?!), we were so tired and did not make it to the top as we just got back from a long day at Yellowstone.
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We made a point to hike to the top of this cinder called Inferno Cone. When I came here with D last time during our student days, about 17 years ago (that long eh?!), we were so tired and did not make it to the top as we just got back from a long day at Yellowstone.
2
No, that was not the top yet. When we reached where Sarah was standing, we still had half way to go to the top.
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No, that was not the top yet. When we reached where Sarah was standing, we still had half way to go to the top.
3
This was at half way to the top. I guess it was not that challenging if not under the hot sun with no shaded trees at all. It was just a short but steep 0.5 mile walk.
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This was at half way to the top. I guess it was not that challenging if not under the hot sun with no shaded trees at all. It was just a short but steep 0.5 mile walk.
4
Of course, Farhan had long been up there since he was running to the top. Heh! When we reached the top, he was resting and enjoying the view. Hey Farhan, we were not that slow but we were busy posing :P
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Of course, Farhan had long been up there since he was running to the top. Heh! When we reached the top, he was resting and enjoying the view. Hey Farhan, we were not that slow but we were busy posing :P
5
From the top of this Inferno Cone, we could see "a weird and scenic landscape, peculiar to itself", as how President Calvin Coolidge put it when he established Craters of the Moon as a National Monument in 1924.
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From the top of this Inferno Cone, we could see "a weird and scenic landscape, peculiar to itself", as how President Calvin Coolidge put it when he established Craters of the Moon as a National Monument in 1924.
6
The only tree at the top.
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The only tree at the top.
7
And lots of sagebrush at certain spots.
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And lots of sagebrush at certain spots.
8
Yeay, we made it to the top this time. Hahah!
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Yeay, we made it to the top this time. Hahah!
9
A shiny rock that attracted D's attention at the top of the cone.
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A shiny rock that attracted D's attention at the top of the cone.
10
Time to go and explore the rest of the seven-mile loop road.
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Time to go and explore the rest of the seven-mile loop road.
11
Spatter Cone
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Spatter Cone
12
As we drove along the loop road, we noticed lots of lava paths and cascades.But where is the volcano? ... which is the frequently asked question when people visit this place. These massive lava lands were not issued from one volcano but from longs fissures across Snake River Plain which are known collectively as the "Great Rift".
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As we drove along the loop road, we noticed lots of lava paths and cascades.But where is the volcano? ... which is the frequently asked question when people visit this place. These massive lava lands were not issued from one volcano but from longs fissures across Snake River Plain which are known collectively as the "Great Rift".
13
This was the final stop at the loop road, the Caves Area.
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This was the final stop at the loop road, the Caves Area.
14
Our curiosity to explore what beneath the ground gave us the strength to hike to this at a glance seemed like an endless hiking.
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Our curiosity to explore what beneath the ground gave us the strength to hike to this at a glance seemed like an endless hiking.
15
The caves are actually lava tubes where hot streams of lava drained away and portions of ceilings collapsed.
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The caves are actually lava tubes where hot streams of lava drained away and portions of ceilings collapsed.
16
Let's go down there to see the interior of the lava tube.
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Let's go down there to see the interior of the lava tube.
17
This cave is known as Boy Scout Cave. Kids managed to smile and were so excited that it was really cool down there.
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This cave is known as Boy Scout Cave. Kids managed to smile and were so excited that it was really cool down there.
18
A good place to rest and hide from the hot sun.
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A good place to rest and hide from the hot sun.
19
D went further down the lava tube and it was dark! We did not bring our flashlight, if not we could walk through this lava tube and came out somewhere in the middle of the lava land. That would be more interesting eh?
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D went further down the lava tube and it was dark! We did not bring our flashlight, if not we could walk through this lava tube and came out somewhere in the middle of the lava land. That would be more interesting eh?
20
After a brief rest at the Boy Scout Cave, we walked further to the...
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After a brief rest at the Boy Scout Cave, we walked further to the...
21
... Beauty Cave!
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... Beauty Cave!
22
This cave was much bigger and colder. The boys were busy breathing in and out to create mist but it did not reflect well in the picture. Heh!
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This cave was much bigger and colder. The boys were busy breathing in and out to create mist but it did not reflect well in the picture. Heh!
23
It was quite an experience resting in a dark and cold cave, when just outside the cave, the temperature was much warmer.
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It was quite an experience resting in a dark and cold cave, when just outside the cave, the temperature was much warmer.
24
Quite big huh? Just imagine many thousand years ago, hot lava streaming through this tube!
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Quite big huh? Just imagine many thousand years ago, hot lava streaming through this tube!
25
Family photo at the Beauty Cave :)
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Family photo at the Beauty Cave :)
26
We then went back to go to the other branch of the trail to Indian tunnel.
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We then went back to go to the other branch of the trail to Indian tunnel.
27
We spotted lots of rock pigeons in this big tunnel.
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We spotted lots of rock pigeons in this big tunnel.
28
This what made Craters of the Moon special and unique, we could explore not just the surface of the volcanic area, but beneath the lava lands.
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This what made Craters of the Moon special and unique, we could explore not just the surface of the volcanic area, but beneath the lava lands.
29
We went back to our campsite feeling contented with the new knowledge that we just gained.
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We went back to our campsite feeling contented with the new knowledge that we just gained.
