Acoma – Zuni All Hike
In El Malpais Region

Map File Source: NG Topo

Hike Key: H10259
Last Updated: 04/20/2021 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Fixer
Hike Class: D (Difficult)
Hike Distance: 7.7 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6842 ft
Elevation Change: 94 ft
Total Uphill: 105 ft
Total Downhill: 0 ft
Avg. Grade: 1 %
Route Type: Multiple Hikes
On Trail: No
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: Yes
Drive Distance Round Trip: 180 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 2:00
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Fall, and Winter
New Mexico Game Unit: 13
Hike Status: Published
Access Description: El Malpais North Access

Highlights

Part of an ancient route that connects the pueblos of Acoma and Zuni across the lava flow area of El Malpais National Monument.

Cautions

Difficult walking on lava rock; trekking poles and leather gloves extremely helpful.

Trailhead Directions

See the individual hike descriptions for information: Acoma-Zuni All From East and Acoma-Zuni All From West.

Actual Hike

The trail is dangerous if you do not watch for the next stone pile, or cairn, before proceeding because there is really no trail and it would be easy to become hopelessly lost. See the individual hike descriptions for information: Acoma-Zuni All From East and Acoma-Zuni All From West.

Comments

Not a hike for people who are clumsy. Walking sticks are almost a must — to maintain at least two points of contact with the ground at all times. Leather gloves are another good idea. This description is appropriate for one center with two vans, where the two groups exchange van keys somewhere in the middle, then meet at a convenient location e.g., Grants or the intersection of I40 and SR 117, to exchange vans. The rating has been set to D because of the difficulty walking on lava rock. Travel time is to the west trailhead.

Waypoints

PARK-EAST: N34 53.938, W107 51.546
PARK-WEST: N34 57.375, W107 56.579
MID POINT: N34 56.001, W107 53.446

Map Filename: Acoma-ZuniAllNGTOPOMap_MW.JPG
Hike GPS File Name: Acoma-ZuniAllWayTrack_mod_JBJB.gpx
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file

Text Author: Roger Holloway
Map Author: Marilyn Warrant
Waypoints Author: John Boyd
Track Author: John Boyd
Maintainer: Dawn McIntyre
Editor: Marilyn Warrant