Amboy Crater is an ideal winter hike

deborah wall/special to vIEWAmboy Crater?s nearly perfect shape and recent origin of eruption, dated at about 10,000 years ago, led to it being designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. deborah wall/special to vIEWAmboy Crater?s nearly perfect shape and recent origin of eruption, dated at about 10,000 years ago, led to it being designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. Advertisement

Imagine driving along Historic Route 66 in Southern California and seeing a volcanic crater about one-half mile away, with large amounts of smoke billowing from it. This happened in the 1970s, and tourists and locals alike made a quick exit, thinking it was about to blow. When the smoke cleared, it proved to be a prank. Some teenagers had carried a bunch of tires up to the rim, set a timer to ignite the pile, and then settled back in a unseen place to watch the resulting confusion.

In reality, the last eruption took place about 10,000 years ago. The crater, 1,500-feet in diameter, actually is a collection of four coaxially-nested cones. This means there were at least four eruptions here, but all have the same center.

Amboy Crater is a National Natural Landmark, designated in 1973 for its visual and geologic significance, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It lies just south of the Mojave National Preserve near the old mining-and-railroad town of Amboy.

There is an official trail that takes you through part of the 43-square-mile lava field, over to the northwest side of the cone and then inside and up to the rim. The hike is about 3 miles roundtrip, with a 285-foot elevation gain. Children who can handle the length will especially enjoy this hike, but be advised to supervise them closely, for there are drop-offs once on the rim, and lots of uneven footing.

From the signed trailhead, pick up the path and follow in a southwesterly direction, toward the crater.

Within the lava field, there are many volcanic features, including bowl-shaped depressions, pressure ridges, jumbles, squeeze-ups and lava channels.

With all this unique terrain, it is no wonder this was used as a place to test the Mars Rover.

This is an ideal winter hike, as the trailhead is at an elevation of 660 feet, so it's not often bitterly cold. Expect temperatures a tad warmer than Las Vegas. If there has been a rare rainstorm, the crater can collect water, but more often than not, it is dry. This part of the Mojave Desert is considered one of its driest. In Bagdad, about 4 miles from the crater, and a place where weather data is officially documented, it once went 767 days without any rain.

As you make your way around to the northernmost point of the crater, you will see an obvious zig-zag scar that runs up to the rim. This is not the official route and besides being dangerously steep, taking it only furthers erosion.

Continue following the official trail as it loops around to the west, and then enter the breach in the cone. The hiking becomes more difficult here because lava rock is everywhere. Keep an eye out and watch where you place your hands and feet, as snakes, scorpions and spiders make their homes here.

Once inside the cone, there are many trails created by previous visitors. You can walk into the base of the cone or head up to the rim on either side of the breach by which you entered. It's an 80-foot ascent, but once on top, you can walk almost 360 degrees around the rim, from one side of the opening to the other. This is very rocky, but worth it, for the far-reaching panoramic views.

To the north are the Granite Mountains in the Mojave National Preserve. To the east, the Old Women Mountains and to the west, the eastern reaches of the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base. Be aware Amboy Crater is fairly close to the boundary of the base's Air Ground Combat Center, so don't go wandering off too far; the center has a live bombing range.

Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.