Safety Tips
Wear proper clothing. Even in summer, carry a
•flashlight
and light jacket in case you are caught
out after nightfall. Wear good walking shoes or
hiking shoes.
Carry plenty of water, up to a gallon (about
•four
liters) per person per day when performing
strenuous activity in hot weather. Also, bring a
high energy snack.
is best to hike with at least one other person.
•IfItyou
go alone, always leave word as to where
you are going, what time you are leaving and what
time you expect to return.
Please don’t disturb wildlife. There are
•rattlesnakes
in this part of the country, but they
won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.
If you become lost, stay in one place. You will
•conserve
your energy and make it easier for
searchers to find you.
In case of accident or lost person, notify the
•nearest
New Mexico State Police office, they will
then notify a search and rescue field coordinator
505/ 287-4141.
Know your limitations; don’t attempt climbs or
•hikes
that you don’t have the ability, equipment, or
BLM/NM/GI-02-007-1220
time to accomplish. Do not climb on cliffs unless
you are an experienced rock climber.
Bureau of Land Management
Rio Puerco Field Office
100 Sun Ave. NE
Pan American Bldg., Suite 330
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
505/761-8700
or
El Malpais Ranger Station
505/280-2918
or
www.blm.gov/new-mexico
Leave No Trace: Plan ahead and prepare - Travel and camp on durable
surfaces - Dispose of waste properly - Leave what you find - Minimize
campfire impacts - Respect wildlife - Be considerate of other visitors.
Narrows Rim
El Malpais
National Conservation Area
W
ithin the El Malpais National Conservation Area
lies the Narrows. It is named for the 3-mile narrow
corridor that developed when lava flowed close to
the base of a 500-foot sandstone mesa. Most of the lava
observed is from McCarty’s crater, and at approximately
1500 years old, it is the youngest flow in the area.
The varied
vegetation
and habitats
make the
Narrows
Rim Trail and
surrounding
area one of the
best birding locations at El Malpais.
Most of the common species, and
many less common species, can
be seen at the picnic area, along the
trail or by hiking in the surrounding
countryside. Birders should expect to see
raptors, sparrows, towhees, woodpeckers,
ravens, flycatchers, bluebirds, jays, warblers
and tanagers. A good day of birding should
yield 30 species or more.
The trailhead and parking area for the Narrows Rim Trail
are located at the south end of the Narrows Picnic Area,
which is 21 miles south of I-40 on NM 117. The trail is
approximately 4.5 miles (nine miles round trip) along the
rim of the mesa.
Narrows Rim Trail gives hikers the opportunity to witness
geologic processes thousands of years apart. Stroll along
the ancient mesa top and view the much younger lava
flows below. This remarkable scenery of the lava beds and
surrounding countryside ends with a picturesque view of
La Ventana Natural Arch.
Helpful Information:
•
Come prepared with plenty of water,
good hiking shoes, and sunscreen.
•
During the summer months, thunderstorms build quickly and lightning is often present.
The trail is located on the very top of a mesa, so it is
•recommended
that hikers head back or move to a lower
elevation as soon as a storm starts moving in.
The altitude of this hike is over 7,000 feet, so for those
•who
are not yet acclimated to the elevation, it’s a good idea
to allow plenty of time for rest stops.
Pets are permitted on the trail but are required to be on a
•leash.
The views from the narrows rim are spectacular to say the
least. Going to the far end, a distance of 4.5 miles, will result
in excellent vistas.
Abundant in the spring and summer, a variety of
wildflowers can be found along this trail. Ponderosa pine,
pinon/juniper woodland, and a variety of oak and shrub
species line the path and provide shady spots for a rest and
to enjoy the views.
Lucky hikers might see one or some of the many species of
wildlife of the area. Mule Deer, Elk, Bobcat, and Black Bear
have been spotted on the trail. To the careful eye, tracks
and droppings can reveal the other creatures that use this
trail. Rabbits, squirrels, birds, chipmunks and lizards are
plentiful.
This is a
•designated
Wilderness area
and is not open to
bicycles.
Check in with the
Ranger Station,
nine miles south of
I-40 on NM 117, for
more information
The El Malpais Ranger Station.
on this hike as well
as other great hiking opportunities within El Malpais. For
hours of operation please call or see website.
