April 24, 2018
This morning our journey started with a hike in El Malpais through lava fields and up to Bandera Crater. The lava field shown here is composed of jagged, broken lava produced when the surface cools and hardens while underlying lava is still in motion.
This formation is a spatter come. It is formed when minor vents form in the molten lava. A surge of hot air rushes through the lava forming surface tubes. When air breaks through the surface, lava will splash out forming a type of blow hole.
Bandera crater erupted 10,000 years ago and is 1400′ wide and 800′ deep. The elevation at the rim 8,367′.
I found many trees that had been struck by lightening and later read that the lava flow is rich in iron which tends to draw these strikes.
Trees growing in lava have difficulties establishing deep roots and many grow gnarled and twisted.
We hiked out of the crater and down to the “ice cave”. The temperature in the cave never gets above 31 degrees. The floor of the ice is 20′ thick. The cause of the original formation of ice 3,400 yrs ago is not certain. The perpetuation of the ice is due to a well insulated cave shaped to trap frigid air. This was known to the Pueblo Indians as the winter lake.
Drove to El Moro in time for a nice sunset.
April 25, 2018
This hike to El Moro proved to have some of the best views so far.
Sometimes lost, would find a rock stack to remind us we’re not.
Views from the top.
On the way down there were countless inscriptions and petroglyphs carved into the rock.
Looking back. 
How cool!!! Very interesting read. I have never heard of ice caves … sounds almost magical.