A’a Trail is a short (.02 mile) loop at Sunset Crater \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n
Sunset Crater National Monument<\/h3>\n
The terrain of this 900-year-old volcanic landscape resembles that of the Moon and was used for frequent astronaut field training and equipment testing. Imagine you are walking on the surface of the moon when you hike the paths of this other-worldly landscape.<\/p>\n
A’a Trail is an easy .2 mile loop that traverses the Lava Flow Trail. A’a is from the Hawaiian word “stony rough lava”. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to sharp edges along the basalt and loose cinder trail. To the left is the Lava’s Edge Trail. Across the road is the Lenox Crater Trail.<\/p>\n
There are four trails at Sunset Crater:<\/p>\n
Lenox Crater Trail – 1.4 miles – Easy\/Intermediate<\/p>\n
Lava Flow Trail – 0.8 miles – Easy\/Intermediate<\/p>\n
O’Leary Lookout Trail – 3.6 miles – Intermediate<\/p>\n
Forest Road 545A – 4.3 miles – Easy\/Intermediate<\/p>\n
1 mile North of Flagstaff, Hwy 89 at Loop Rd. Exit 30 (30 minutes) | 928-526-0502 |Website: nps.gov\/sucr<\/p>\n
A’a Trail at Sunset Crater \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n
Lava’s Edge Trail sign \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n
Finally, Flagstaff is the gateway to the Earth’s greatest geological showcase and another invaluable astronaut training opportunity.<\/p>\n