Walnut Canyon / Wupatki / Sunset Crater Volcano

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior Flagstaff Area National Monuments Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano Ancient Times Experience the Cultural Legacy and Natural Environment of Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments View of the San Francisco Peaks from Wukoki Pueblo, Wupatki NPS Photo Follow the rock ledges and cliff dwellings down into Walnut Canyon, gaze across the grasslands and puebloan structures at Wupatki, and witness the aftermath of the eruption that formed Sunset Crater Volcano. Cultural Legacy People have found ways to live here for thousands of years, discovering new methods of building homes, growing food, and trading for goods. The eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano changed the lives of everyone who witnessed the event and influenced settlement at Walnut Canyon and Wupatki. Welcome! The scent of blooming cliffrose greets you during the climb out of Walnut Canyon on the Island Trail. Your eyes blink against the glittering contrast of snow blanketing Sunset Crater Volcano’s black basalt flows. At Wupatki, a raven’s cackling calls and wing beats break the silence surrounding red sandstone pueblos. Named after the walnut trees found within, Walnut Canyon is better known for the cliff dwellings built into ledges along the canyon walls. Builders selected spots warmed by the low winter sun, protected from snow and rain, and shaded on summer days. With water in Walnut Creek, land for farming on the canyon rim, native plants to collect, and animals to hunt, the ancestral Puebloan people had everything they needed. Welcome to Flagstaff Area National Monuments, places that will delight your senses and challenge your mind to consider everything from violent geologic processes to the struggle of finding water in an arid landscape. At Wupatki, builders chose the open grassland and expansive horizons of the Wupatki Basin, constructing homes of stone and mud. Communities were comprised of farmers, cultivating corn, beans, and squash. Wupatki Pueblo had the greatest population. Located at the crossroads of several cultures, it was a regional center for trade. Each of the monuments is unique, but all three share a cultural legacy, including their ownership by all Americans as part of the National Park System. Come and enjoy them. They are yours. This newspaper, the Ancient Times, can help you decide how to create your own experiences at the Flagstaff Area National Monuments during any season of the year. Sunset Crater Volcano is part of the legends, landscape, history, and culture of several American Indian tribes. Life profoundly changed for those present when the volcano erupted. Some left because survival seemed impossible. Others saw the eruption as a signal to migrate. Some chose to stay, building new homes and learning to farm a cinder-covered landscape. We’re waiting for you! Kayci Cook Collins Superintendent Flagstaff Area National Monuments NPS Graphic Natural Environment From sandstone and limestone revealing ancient sand dunes and seas, to rugged lava flows created by violent forces in the earth, the landscapes of all three national monuments have been shaped by weather, water, and time. At Walnut Canyon plant communities overlap, bringing together species usually separated by elevation, creating a rare concentration of biodiversity. The Sinagua people found a wide array of native plants to harvest along every curve of the canyon. Without domestic grazing, the grasslands of Wupatki once again provide habitat for the same plants and animals harvested and hunted by the ancestral Puebloan people who lived under the endless blue skies. Sunset Crater Volcano provides an unparalleled opportunity to study the dynamics of eruption, change, and recovery in an arid climate. The dramatic landscape is also home to a mix of species adapted to life on and around the young volcanic terrain. By visiting Walnut Canyon, Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano and gazing across their visually striking landscapes, you may better understand the lives of those who came before, learning from their ingenuity and achievements. What’s Inside 2-3....General Information 4-5....Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano 6.......Walnut Canyon 7.......Programs 8.......Getting Involved Published August 2016 2 GENERAL INFORMATION Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings, NPS Photo Contact Information Flagstaff Area National Monuments Park Headquarters 6400 N. Hwy 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Phone: (928) 526-1157 Fax: (928) 526-4259 Email: FLAG_Information@nps.gov Walnut Canyon National Monument 3 Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.nps.gov/waca (928) 526-3367 Wupatki National Monument 25137 N Wupatki Loop Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.nps.gov/wupa (928) 679-2365 Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument 6082 Sunset Crater Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.nps.gov/sucr (928) 526-0502 Entrance Fees 7-day Passes Walnut Canyon: per person (adults 16+)........$8 Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki: per vehicle..........$20, motorcycle..........$15 bicycle/pedestrian..........$10 Annual Passes Flagstaff Area Monuments Annual Pass....$40 Interagency Annual Pass...........................$80 Interagency Military Pass.........................Free (for current military personnel and dependents) Every Kid in a Park (4th Grade Pass)......Free Lifetime Passes Interagency Senior Pass...........................$10 (for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents 62+) Interagency Access Pass.........................Free (for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents with permanent disability) Lodging and Camping Directions Overnight lodging is not available within the monuments but can be found in Flagstaff. For more information contact the Flagstaff Visitors Bureau at (800) 842-7293 or visit www.flagstaffarizona.org. Walnut Canyon From Flagstaff, take I-40 East, 7.5 miles (12 km) to Exit 204. Drive 3 miles (5 km) south to the visitor center. Note: The parking area has a tight turn-around for towed vehicles; 40 ft (12 m) maximum length is recommended. Camping is not allowed within the monuments. Bonito Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is located at the entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano. This campground is open May to October. Facilities include running water and restrooms. Showers and trailer hookups are NOT available. Maximum length for vehicles is 40 ft (12 m). For more information contact the U.S. Forest Service at (928) 526-0866 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/coconino. Pets Pets are not allowed in buildings or on park trails. Pets may be exercised in parking areas and must be kept on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet. Note: The summer heat is intense. Pets left in vehicles, even for a few minutes, can suffer heat stroke and die. Please do not leave pets unattended. Services Food service and gas stations are not available within the monuments but can be found in Flagstaff and Cameron. Picnic tables are available at all three monument visitor centers, as well as several locations within each monument. Please check the park map for locations. Other Passes Honored Golden Age and Golden Access Park Hours of Operation Visitor centers are open everyday from 9:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Standard Time (MST), closed only on December 25. Summer hours at Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater Volcano are 8:00am to 5:00pm MST. Wupatki remains 9:00am to 5:00pm MST year-round. Note: Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST) and is on MST yearround. An exception is the Navajo Nation, which observes DST. Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo Wupatki Pueblo, NPS Photo Indian Paintbrush, NPS Photo Sunset Crater Volcano From Flagstaff, take U.S. Highway 89 North for 14 miles (23 km). Turn east onto the Sunset Crater Volcano-Wupatki National Monument road. Continue 2 miles (3 km) to the visitor center. Wupatki From Cameron, take U.S. Highway 89 South 20 miles (32 km). Turn west onto the Wupatki National Monument road. Continue 14 miles (23 km) to the visitor center. From Flagstaff, travel the scenic loop road from Sunset Crater Volcano. Scenic Loop Road Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki are located along a 35 mile (56 km) scenic loop road that travels through Ponderosa pine forests, open meadows, pinyon-juniper forests, and grassland. Enjoy views of the San Francisco Volcanic Field, Painted Desert, and the mesas of the Wupatki Basin. From U.S. Highway 89 use the north or south entrance. 3 Weather and Climate Safety Tips Expect variable weather conditions. Short afternoon thunderstorms are common July through September. Expect high winds from March through May. In case of emergency, call 911 or contact any park ranger. Summer daytime temperatures can exceed 1000F (370C) at Wupatki. Heavy snowfall is common throughout the winter at Sunset Crater Volcano and Walnut Canyon. Accessibility Walnut Canyon A portion of the Rim Trail is accessible. The visitor center has accessible restrooms and chair lifts within the main building. Wupatki The visitor center and portions of the Wupatki, Wukoki, and Nalakihu Trails are accessible. Accessible restrooms are available at the visitor center and Lomaki Pueblo. Sunset Crater Volcano The Bonito Vista Trail and a portion of the Lava Flow Trail are accessible. Accessible restrooms are available at the visitor center and the Lava Flow Trail. Historic Ranger Cabin, Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo Drive Safely Drive slowly, enjoy the scenery, and watch for bicyclists and wildlife on the road. Be especially careful at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active. Seat belts are required by law; so buckle up. For your safety and the safety of others, vehicles and bicycles must remain on designated public roadways. Always use marked parking areas, and never stop in the roadway. Wildlife Wildlife in the monuments is protected by federal law. Keep a safe distance and do not approach or feed animals. Rattlesnakes are active in summer months, so use caution on trails. Hunting in the monuments is prohibited. Avoid Lightning Lightning is common to northern Arizona in summer months. Avoid danger by seeking shelter in vehicles or buildings during thunderstorms. Avoid trees and open areas. Be Careful With Fire Discard cigarettes only in ashtrays and never along roads or trails. Protect yourself and your public lands by obeying periodic fire restrictions and closures. Hydrate Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,000 ft (1,524 to 2,134 m), where the air is thinner and drier. Prevent dehydration by drinking water throughout the day. Water is available during summer months at all three visitor centers. Trails and Hiking Stay on designated trails. Bicycles are not allowed on any park trails. Respect prehistoric structures by not climbing on them. All plants, animals, and archeological artifacts are protected, with substantial fines (starting at $250) and/or imprisonment for damage or removal. Archeology crew at Wupatki, NPS Photo Bonito Vista Trail, Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo Your Dollars at Work The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows the Flagstaff Area National Monuments to keep 100% of the entrance fees collected at Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano. These funds are used for projects that directly impact visitor safety and enjoyment. Boundary Fence, Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo Going Green The Flagstaff Area National Monuments are committed to continued improvement in protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources through environmental education, environmental compliance, pollution prevention, stewardship, and sustainability. You can help us! • • Use recycling containers at the visitor centers for paper, plastic, and aluminum. Bring refillable water bottles and refill at the visitor center water filling stations. Walnut Canyon The historic Ranger Cabin, the monument’s first visitor center, residence, and museum has been rehabilitated to preserve its unique craftsmanship and allow limited public visitation. Discovery Hikes (see page 7) during the summer include tours of the cabin, opening its history to the public. The one-mile long “worm rail” style boundary fence, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1940-1941, has been restored to its original appearance using over 2,000 Ponderosa pine rails that were peeled, split, and covered with preservative then connected with wire and nails. The fence can be seen along U.S. Forest Service Road 303. Wupatki Stabilization work at archeological sites maintains and preserves the current status of structures and allows visitors a glimpse into the life of early people. Many sites are open for public visitation or through Discovery Hikes (see page 7). Sunset Crater Volcano Trail work completed includes a fully accessible section along the Lava Flow Trail, the accessible Bonito Vista Trail, and a new route for the Lenox Crater Trail. And... As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, all three visitor center restrooms have been retrofitted with low flow sinks and toilets, as well as hand dryers. 4 WUPATKI AND SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO Plan Your Trip Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano provide oppportunities for hiking, learning, and the exploration of a variety of archeological and natural landscapes and features. We recommend that you travel the scenic loop road and visit both monuments, experiencing the dramatic change in landscape from the high elevation Ponderosa pine forests to the lower elevation grasslands, as well as the volcanic features found in both. 1-2 hours: Spend a few minutes in each visitor center for orientation and an overview of park resources. Walk the A’a Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano. Enjoy a scenic view of Wupatki Pueblo from behind the Wupatki Visitor Center. Enjoy views along the scenic loop road. if you have • • • • 7 6 4 5 3-4 hours: Explore exhibits in the museum at each visitor center. Watch the 20 minute park film at the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center. Walk the Lava Flow Trail. A detailed trail guide is available for purchase at the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center. Stop at the Painted Desert Vista for a scenic view. Walk the Wupatki Pueblo Trail. A detailed trail guide is available for purchase at the Wupatki Visitor Center. Attend a Ranger Program, if available. Enjoy views along the scenic loop road. if you have • • • • • • • if you have 4 or more hours, or if you are visiting for a second time: In addition to the above suggestions, • Walk the Lenox Crater Trail. This is a strenuous hike, so be prepared. • Visit Wukoki, Citadel, Nalakihu, and Lomaki Pueblos. • Take time to sit in a quiet spot and contemplate the lives of the ancestral people. Imagine the intensity of Sunset Crater Volcano’s formation and the silence that would have followed. If you want to further explore the Flagstaff Area National Monuments, sign up for one or more of the Discovery Hikes. See page 7. Don’t forget the Roving Rangers program for guided hikes and campground presentations in the monuments and Coconino National Forest during the summer months. See page 7. 2 1 Aspens, Sunset Crater Volcano, NPS Photo 3 5 What to See 7 Lomaki, NPS Photo 6 Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos, NPS Photo 5 Wupatki Pueblo, NPS Photo Wupatki Sunset Crater Volcano What It’s All About What It’s All About established established December 9, 1924 May 26, 1930 Life at Wupatki revolved around growing corn, praying for rain, and finding ways for people with diverse backgrounds to live together as a community. Sunset Crater Volcano is the most recent event in a dynamic geologic story, one that encompasses the 3,000 square mile (7,800 square km) San Francisco Volcanic Field. At about 900 years old, this geologic infant has impacted people, reshaping life and the land. Families and communities learned to cooperate. Perhaps one day was spent grinding corn for the household, the next grinding for relatives, and the next grinding for others in the community. In difficult times, cooperation may have broken down. Competition and friction over dwindling food stores may have forced families to move on. Prized possessions might have included scarlet macaws brought from tropical areas to the south. Traders may have returned home with elaborately woven and dyed cotton sashes. Pottery, shell jewelry, copper bells, and turquoise were precious items that would accompany the owner into the afterlife. Today you can gaze out an 800 year old pueblo window, framing a landscape offering little food, water, or comfort. It is much the same view as seen by the original builders. For their descendants, each empty pueblo is evidence of places they occupied through their migration aross the Southwest. Explorers marveled at the unusual terrain. Early tourists explored the lava flow and cave, taking ice for their coolers and rocks for their mantles. Miners, ranchers, loggers, and treasure seekers all took their toll on the volcanic field. Even after protection in 1930, thousands of visitors caused such severe erosion that the trail to the top of the crater was closed. Today, this cinder cone still stands while nearby cinder quarries and housing developments remove neighboring volcanos. Volcanoes remind us of beginnings and perseverance. When a volcano erupts, life is destroyed and new life seems marginal on the jagged lava surface. But a slender penstemon flower now stands radiant against the black rock, its species unique to this rugged terrain. Ponderosa pines, stunted from growth in harsh conditions, offer habitat for squirrels and shade for visitors. Lichen adds color to the landscape, slowly converting rock to soil. Destruction results in renewal. Trails 4 Please stay on the established trails. Do not climb on prehistoric walls. Leave artifacts and features as you find them. Please stay on the established trails. Do not climb on fragile volcanic features. Leave artifacts and features as you find them. Trails may close temporarily in winter for snow removal. Wupatki Pueblo Trail Once a regional center for trade, this 104 room pueblo features a ballcourt and unique geologic blowhole. distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip time: 1 hour difficulty: Easy Lava Flow Trail Explore the Bonito Lava Flow and numerous volcanic features while walking at the base of Sunset Crater Volcano. distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip time: 1 hour difficulty: Easy, first 0.25 mile (0.5 km) is accessible. Wukoki Pueblo Trail Built on a sandstone outcrop, this pueblo is unique for its structure and location. distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) each time: 15 minutes difficulty: Easy, first 0.1 mile (0.2 km) is accessible. Bonito Vista Trail Walk across a field of cinders on this paved trail for an expansive view of the Bonito Lava Flow and surrounding cinder cones. distance: 0.3 mile (0.5 km) round-trip time: 20 minutes difficulty: Easy, accessible Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos Trail Walk up the hill past Nalakihu to Citadel Pueblo and enjoy 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape. distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) time: 15 minutes difficulty: Easy, trail section to Nalakihu is accessible. A’a Trail Observe jagged blocks of rough A’a basaltic lava, formed as the Bonito Lava Flow cooled over 900 years ago. distance: 0.2 mile (0.3 km) round-trip time: 15 minutes difficulty: Easy Wukoki Pueblo, NPS Photo 3 Lava Flow Trail, NPS Photo 2 A’a Trail, NPS Photo 1 San Francisco Peaks from Lenox Crater Trail, NPS Photo Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos Trail Built on the edge of a small canyon, the Box Canyon and Lomaki Pueblos unite the human and geologic story of the Wupatki Basin. distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip time: 30 minutes difficulty: Easy Lenox Crater Trail Walk in a ponderosa pine forest while viewing Sunset Crater Volcano, the Bonito Lava Flow, O’Leary Peak, and from the summit, expansive views of the San Francisco Peaks. distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round-trip time: 1.5 hours difficulty: Strenuous 6 WALNUT CANYON Plan Your Trip What It’s All About Trails Walnut Canyon provides oppportunities for hiking, learning, and relaxation. established Please stay on the established trails. Do not climb on prehistoric walls. Do not remove or disturb any features. Trails may close temporarily in winter for snow removal. 1 hour: Walk the Island Trail and explore the prehistoric cliff dwellings. if you have • OR • Walk out onto the back patio and down to the first overlook on the Island Trail. • Explore the museum in the visitor center. • Watch the 20 minute park film. • Walk a loop to the first canyon overlook platform on the Rim Trail and then around to the excavated pueblo and pithouse site. 2 or more hours: Explore the museum in the visitor center. Watch the 20 minute park film. Walk the Island Trail and explore the prehistoric cliff dwellings. Walk the Rim Trail and search for additional cliff dwellings in the canyon. Take time to sit in a quiet spot within the canyon or along its rim. Listen to the birds. Feel the wind. Imagine the lives of the ancestral people in this unique environment. November 30, 1915 Today Walnut Canyon resonates with birdsong, but once the canyon knew other songs: the rhythmic beat of a stone axe, the soft voice of an aged storyteller, children’s laughter echoing off the rocks. Water flowing along the canyon floor was the lifeblood of the community. Accessing Walnut Creek once required confidence, agility, and strength. With time, use, and a little maintenance, these narrow paths were widened and became safer. if you have • • • • • Deer and bighorn sheep yielded warm clothing, materials for tools, and valuable protein. Located in shallow drainages that caught runoff after rains, pockets of soil on the canyon rim provided plots for corn, beans, and squash. In good years, there was plenty of food for all. In times of hardship, there was a stronger reliance on stores of food. Cooperation and generosity united the community. Life continued here for over one hundred years. Children were born, matured into adults, and raised children of their own. Eventually the people moved on, leaving a legacy of their life within the canyon walls. With the construction of the railroad through Flagstaff in the 1880s, scores of pot hunters streamed into the canyon. Armed with shovels and dynamite, these souvenir seekers removed a great wealth of cultural material. Protection as a national monument in 1915 ended the looting. Island Trail More than 700 years ago Walnut Canyon echoed with the sounds of a lively puebloan community. The Island Trail leads you back in time, into the world of the Sinagua. You will see 24 cliff dwellings along the trail, with more visible across the canyon. distance: 0.9 mile (1.5 km) round-trip time: 1 hour difficulty: Strenuous. The trail descends 185 vertical feet (56 m) into the canyon, including 273 stair steps to the start of the loop trail. notes: • Entry to the Island Trail closes at 4:00pm. • Caution: Hand railings do not extend the length of the entire trail. For safety, please follow loop trail directional signs. Rim Trail Following the canyon rim, look down into Walnut Canyon and spot cliff dwellings under every overhang. The Rim Trail includes two canyon overlook platforms and an excavated pithouse and pueblo. distance: 0.7 mile (1.1 km) round-trip time: 30 minutes difficulty: Easy, paved notes: • Entry to the Rim Trail closes at 4:30pm. The future of Walnut Canyon is in your hands. With the cooperation of visitors, this intimate canyon will educate and inspire for many generations to come. Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo Early visitors at Walnut Canyon 7 PROGRAMS Junior Ranger Swearing In, NPS Photo School Group at Walnut Canyon, NPS Photo Roving Rangers Program, NPS Photo Junior Rangers For Teachers Roving Rangers explore, learn, and protect Step inside the open books of Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano to learn about human relationships within unique landscapes. From canyons to volcanoes to desert-like environments, we invite you to go on an educational quest with us. Roving Rangers is a partnership of National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service staff. Through free programs provided in and around the Flagstaff area, Roving Rangers bring understanding and inspiration to all ages, provoking citizens of the world to cherish nature and act to preserve natural and cultural resources. Children of all ages can pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at any of the three monument visitor centers. Families explore the monument together, learn something new, and protect the natural and cultural resources around them. Once the required activities are complete, children turn the booklet in and receive an official Junior Ranger badge. Junior Ranger patches are also available for purchase through the Western National Parks Association bookstores located within each visitor center. From home, check out the WebRangers program at www.nps.gov/webrangers and explore a variety of national parks, earning a free WebRangers patch. • • • Explore Walnut Canyon’s unique cliff dwellings through hikes into the canyon. Discover how Ancestral Puebloan people searched for water in online lesson plans. Learn about the history and mission of the National Park Service with a park ranger visit to the classroom. For educational resources, including the Educational Fee Waiver Request Form required for field trips, visit any of the monument websites and explore information and lesson plans under For Teachers. During summer months, programs are held at three local campgrounds, an interpretive ranger can be found at the top of the Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift Ride, and guided walks are conducted throughout the national monuments and Coconino National Forest. For more information visit www.nps. gov/sucr/planyourvisit/local-hikes-andcampground-programs.htm. Discovery Hikes Discovery Hikes are offered year-round, exploring places closed to the general public. Reservations are required, some restrictions and fees apply. Walnut Canyon For information and to make reservations visit www.nps.gov/waca/planyourvisit/ interpretive_programs.htm or call (928) 526-3367. Wupatki For information and to make reservations visit www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/ guidedtours.htm or call (928) 679-2365. Ranger Cabin, NPS Photo pueblo hikes canyon ledge hike Experience the canyon and cliff dwellings along an ancient ledge path. Strenuous, 3 hours. This hike requires walking along narrow ledges and rocky slopes with steep dropoffs. It is not recommended for small children or people who have difficulty with heights. Hikes are offered in the summer months. ranger cabin walk Explore the history of the restored 1904 Ranger Cabin which served as the first ranger residence, visitor center and museum at Walnut Canyon. Easy, 2 hours. Hikes are offered in the summer months. Discover hidden archeological sites, petroglyphs, geology, flora, and fauna of Wupatki on one of several pueblo hikes. Hikes are offered November through March. They begin at the Wupatki Visitor Center, last 2-3.5 hours, and are 2-3 miles over moderate terrain. Ledge Dwellings, NPS Photo crack-in-rock This strenuous, overnight backpacking trip covers 16 miles (26 km). Participants must be able to carry a 30-40 lb pack. Hikes are offered on some weekends in April and October. Group size is limited, with participants selected by lottery. Window at Crack-In-Rock, NPS Photo Ranger Programs Ranger guided programs are offered year-round. Please inquire at any of the monument visitor centers for availability during your visit. Walnut Canyon ranger’s choice patio talk These short interpretive programs take place on the back patio of the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center. Wupatki ranger’s choice patio talk These short interpretive programs take place under the shade awning at the Wupatki Visitor Center. island trail wupatki pueblo walk Walk along the Island Trail amongst the ancient cliff dwellings learning about life in Walnut Canyon. Strenuous, 1 hour. Tour the 104 room Wupatki Pueblo learning about its incredible past, from the ancestral Puebloan people who built it to the early park rangers who lived in it. Easy, 45 minutes. Sunset Crater Volcano lenox crater trail Climb a volcano and enjoy views of Sunset Crater Volcano, the Bonito Lava Flow, and the San Francisco Peaks while learning about the changing landscape. Strenuous, 1 hour. lava flow trail Walk over the Bonito Lava Flow at the base of Sunset Crater Volcano and learn about the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Easy, 30 minutes. 8 GETTING INVOLVED Western National Parks Association (WNPA) helps make the national park experience possible for everyone. As a nonprofit, education partner of the National Park Service, WNPA supports 67 parks across the West, developing products, services, and programs that enrich the visitor experience. Since 1938 WNPA has worked to connect new generations to parks in meaningful ways, all with one simple goal: create advocates who want to preserve and protect these special places for everyone, for all time. National parks tell the story of America, embodying its beauty, culture, and heritage. WNPA helps discover, preserve, and share that story. But the American story is rapidly unfolding. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, WNPA is committed to discovery: new knowledge, new understanding, and new ways to engage with society. Membership dollars go toward direct aid for our partner parks across the West. They also help provide educational materials to park visitors of all ages. As a thank you, WNPA members get discounts at all WNPA Partner Park Stores. All purchases help support parks. Thank you for your support when you visit the Flagstaff Area National Monuments! For more information, visit wnpa.org. The Friends of Flagstaff National Monuments is a non-profit, partner organization formed to support the preservation of the monuments’ natural and cultural heritage through stewardship, public education and community engagement. Friends also generate monetary support through donations and fund-raising events, facilitate new partnerships with the National Park Service, and provide expertise. For more information and to receive the digital newsletter, send an email to friendsofthemonuments@msn.com. Volunteers of all ages can contribute time and expertise by assisting monument staff in achieving the National Park Service mission. Eradicating non-native species, stabilizing puebloan structures, working at the visitor centers, and conducting programs are only some of the ways volunteers can help. Full or part time positions are available throughout the year. Housing or RV pads with hook-ups may be available. For more information, contact a park ranger at one of the visitor centers, at park headquarters, or visit www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm. Box Canyon Dwelling, Wupatki, NPS Photo How Do You Say That? Some of the words you will encounter at the Flagstaff Area National Monuments may be a little intimidating to pronounce. Here’s a pronunciation guide that will help you navigate the linguistics like a pro. The following are names of puebloan structures at Wupatki National Monument. Wupatki: Wuh-paht-kee Wukoki: Wuh-ko-kee Lomaki: Lo-mah-kee Nalakihu: Nah-lah-kee-hoo These are not the names the ancestral people gave the pueblos, but names provided by their later Hopi descendants. A’a: Ah-ah From the Hawaiian word for “stony rough lava,” A’a lava is found in both Hawaii and at Sunset Crater Volcano. NPS Graphic The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. Student Conservation Association The Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers young people the chance to live and work in a national park. Its mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders by engaging young people in ha