Day 16 - Sunset Crater, Wupatki National Monument & the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Today was quite a day. The day began very early when Rick picked up Will at the Flagstaff airport at 3 a.m.  They returned to the campground and slept for a few hours.  After they got up, we visited both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, both just north of Flagstaff. We capped off the day by arriving in time for the sunset at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.


A couple of days ago, I read in the guide book that visitors are no longer allowed to ascend the cinder cone at Sunset Crater.  Rick remembers doing this as a teenager, so we were bummed that this was no longer an option (but understood why erosion to the cone made this regulation a necessity).  The trip to the park is still worthwhile....it was very interesting to take a walk amidst the red cinders, lava flows, and the remarkable wildlife that thrives in such a forbidding environment.

After Joan was sworn in as a Junior Ranger, we drove up the road to Wupatki National Monument,  a pueblo dating to 1100!  What an amazing place!  This pueblo, located near the crossroads of the east-west and north-south travel routes, was the center of community activity for the area.  


While the hike was short, it was incredibly windy.....hard to imagine that these people endured such conditions and that this was such an important hub to the surrounding communities.   In addition to the pueblo and surrounding reconstructed ruins,  the natural blowhole was pretty cool (literally and figuratively)!

After the visit, we headed on to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  Joan and Will checked out their wingspans at the Visitors Center,   

and then we went (with everyone else at the park!) 

to watch the sunset.

A nice way to end the day.