Volcanoes Day Use Area Audio Tour Stop 2

The view as seen from stop 2 on the Volcanoes Day Use Area audio tour.

NPS Photo / Ben Holt

Quick Facts

Location:

35.12858, -106.77551

Amenities

1 listed

Cellular Signal

You have reached stop 2 of the Volcanoes Day Use Area audio tour. You have now walked 0.34 miles or 0.55 kilometers. The right or south fork in the trail leads to the South Point Trailhead in the Mesa Prieta area of the monument. This audio tour does not cover this section of the trail heading towards South Point Trailhead, which is about 2.6 miles away. This stretch of trail is primarily flat over open country. There are no petroglyphs, shade opportunities, or water along this segment of the trail. 

As you have walked, you have passed through an excellent example of our characteristic ecosystem, which is a unique transition zone between grasslands and Chihuahuan desert. Although deserts may seem like barren expanses with little to no life visible, this area is home to a wide variety of plants and animals (such as sand sage, four-winged saltbush, desert rhubarb, coyotes, desert cottontail and black-tailed jackrabbits, and several species of reptiles). Burrows, dens, tracks, and scat are evidence of these species living in their natural habitat. Each of these plants and creatures are adapted to this fragile desert environment and are very susceptible to human impacts. This is why it is important for visitors to stay on the trail while hiking in Petroglyph National Monument. The simple action of remaining on the trail can prevent erosion, destruction to plant life, and damage to natural habitats that help sustain the ecosystem.  

Continue another 0.11 mi or 0.17 km to reach Audio Tour Stop 3.