Stanley Polich

Life on the Edge

~1h 11m drive

Lava, though it may seem harsh and inhospitable, can create some unusual habitats. One of these habitats is actually found just along the edges of lava flows. Known as the "edge effect," dense vegetation seems to thrive along the lava's edge. Scientists hypothesize that rainwa…

Broken Nose

~1 min drive

Easy 1-mile trail with minimal elevation gain near Broken Nose, New Mexico.

Plush

~2 min drive

Moderate 10-mile high desert trail with gentle elevation gain near Plush, NM.

Smokin Handlebar

~4 min drive

Easy 4-mile loop with minimal elevation gain near Smokin Handlebar.

Double Sinks

~1h 12m drive

<p>The El Calderon trail passes precipitously between two deep pits called Double Sinks. These steep collapses are about 80 feet (24 m) deep and were formed where the roofs of lava tubes collapsed. They are home to owls, squirrels, and ferns. In fact, delicate ferns can be fou…

Lost Lake Rim

~2 min drive

Scenic 11.36-mile rim loop with moderate climbing and panoramic mountain views.

Strawberry Canyon

~4 min drive

Scenic 4.31-mile canyon hike with 613 ft elevation gain.

El Calderon Lava Trench

~1h 12m drive

<p>Along the trail to the cinder cone, look for a deep, winding trench that begins at the mouth of the cinder cone volcano up ahead. This trench was created by a river of lava that breached the side of the cinder cone and swept cinder and lava several miles to the southeast. L…

Quasimodo

~4 min drive

7.15-mile moderate trail with 362 ft elevation gain in New Mexico.

Torreon

~4 min drive

Moderate 4.26-mile hike with 352 ft gain near Torreon, NM.