Upheaval Dome in the most puzzling geological feature in Canyonlands National Park. A 1.7-mile hike visits two overlooks along the rim of this three-mile wide 1,000-foot deep crater. Geologists have two possible theories for what caused Upheaval Dome, which you can learn about along the trail.

From the trailhead, a wide track heads to the right before turning uphill toward the crater. Built-in stone steps aid with the ascent of 150 feet over 0.3 miles. When the trail comes to a junction, turn right and you will quickly reach the first overlook of Upheaval Dome.

Upheavel Dome

Have a look into this wide rough crater, and see if you can you figure out how it was created. Geologists have two competing theories. Illustrated panels at the overlook describe both the newfangled meteorite theory and the more traditional salt dome theory.

The salt dome theory:
It all began 300 million years ago when an inland sea covered this entire area. Climate chance caused the water to evaporate, leaving a thick salt deposit behind. Over time, layers of sediment built up on top of the salt and hardened into sandstone. The heavy rock pushed down on the salt, creating uneven pressure that led to a budge in the salt layer. This caused a dome to appear on the surface, an upheaval dome. The crater seen today is simply the eroded remains of that dome.

The meteorite theory:
The other school of thought is that a meteor crash landed on this spot 60 million years ago. The crater left behind was unstable. Some areas collapsed while other spaces filled from below by rock and salt moving up into the sudden opening in the earth.

Was it a great upheaval or a coming down to earth that caused the crater? Scientists are now fairly certain Upheaval Dome was created by a meteor. If you need time to think things over, the trail continues for another 0.6 miles, descending around the jagged sandstone rim to a second overlook. On the return, you will have to hike back up 180 feet of elevation. This is worth keeping in mind because the views from the second overlook to no reveal much more than the first. If you decided to conserve your time and energy for another trail, you would be forgiven for not going the full way.

The trail descends to the second overlook

The obvious gravel trail disappears along the way to the second overlook. Instead, follow the line of cairns and steps carved into the sandstone. The placement of the second overlook seems a bit arbitrary, as the views are not completely dissimilar to the upper overlook and other points along the way.

The second overlook

After enjoying the overlook, head back up the sandstone rim. This hike to both overlooks is a 1.7 miles round trip, but that can be cut down to 0.6 miles if you only visit the first overlook.

To get to the trailhead: From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, drive south for 6.5 miles. After passing the Mesa Arch turnoff, turn right onto Upheaval Dome Road. Drive 5 miles to the end of the road. There is a picnic area and bathrooms at the trailhead.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

                                     

These photos were taken in June of 2010. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Whale Rock This one-mile hike ascends a whale-shaped sandstone formation near Upheaval Dome.
	Aztec Butte This is a 1.8 -mile hike ascends a dome-shaped butte that houses Puebloan granaries and offers nice views of Taylor Canyon.
	Mesa Arch This half-mile loop visits a picturesque arch spanning across the mesa’s edge.
	Murphy Point This 3.6-mile hike visits a west-facing point on the Island in the Sky overlooking canyons carved by the Green River.
	More trails in Utah Explore other hikes in Canyonlands National Park and elsewhere.

 

More Info

 

Upheaval Dome trail brochure on nps.gov

Upheaval Dome geology on nps.gov

Upheaval Dome on wikipedia.org

News supporting the meteor theory on utah.com

A report on the formation of Upheaval Dome on utahgeology.org

Upheaval Dome on summitpost.org

Upheaval Dome in HIKING CANYONLANDS AND ARCHES NATIONAL PARKS by Bill Schneider

Canyonlands National Park on Utah.com

The official website for Canyonlands National Park

 

Amboy Crater is nestled half way between Barstow and Needles, just off historic Route 66. It is located near, but not within, Mojave National Preserve. A visit to Amboy Crater will definitely take you back in time. Ten thousand years ago, this cinder cone volcano erupted, transforming the surrounding landscape. There is a 3-mile round trip trail leading up and into the crater. The view from the top is startling.

From the parking lot, the trail starts out wide, before narrowing down to a single track. The trail crosses the desert floor, which in the spring time is covered with wild flowers, and swings around the right side of the crater. On the far side, the trail enters through an opening in the rim and climbs across the center to the top. The views from the rim of this 250-foot tall crater show a landscape transformed by volcanic ash.

Looking out from the rim

Amboy Crater is an easy stop for travelers along Interstate 40 and a great detour for those headed from Southern California to Mojave National Preserve. Amboy Crater is on BLM land so there is no entrance fee.

To get to the trailhead: From Barstow, take the 40 freeway west to exit 50. Turn right on Crucero Road and make an immediate left onto Route 66. Take route 66 for 26 miles to the crater.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

                         

These photos were taken in February of 2008. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Fountain Peak This 5-mile off trail trek summits a peak with commanding views over the Providence Mountains.
	Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail This 1.5-mile loop takes visitors through a landscape of pocketed rocks. Ringbolts allow fun passage through narrow canyons.
	Silver Peak This 8.5-mile hike summits a 6.365-foot peak in the Granite Mountains.
	Kelso Dunes This 3-mile round trip hike climbs 470 feet to the highest point in this 45 square mile dune field.
	Lava Tube This short 0.6-mile hike drops below the surface into an old lava tube.
	Petroglyphs near Seventeen Mile Point This quarter-mile path visits ancient engravings in the volcanic rock at the western rim of the cinder fields just off Kelbaker Road.
	Teutonia Peak The 4-mile round trip hike crosses a Joshua tree forest to summit a short peak with a great view of Cima Dome.
	New York Peak This 7 to 9-mile round trip hike summits the highest point of the New York Range in the northeast corner of the preserve.
	Hikes in the California Desert Explore more trails in Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve.

 

Similar Trails

 

Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley This 0 – 2 mile hike visits a large crater in the north end of Death Valley. A parking lot along the rim provides a great view of the crater, and there are also three trails to choose from.

 

Camping

 

Mojave National Preserve There are a few campgrounds and endless roadside camping within the preserve.

 

More Info

 

A panoramic video from the rim

The official website for Amboy Crater

 

Ubehebe Crater is located in the north end of Death Valley near the Eureka Dunes and Scotty’s Castle. A parking lot along the rim provides a great view of the crater, and there are also three trails to choose from.

The science: Ubehebe Crater is a maars volcano that was created by a phreatic eruption two to seven thousand years ago. Hot magma converted groundwater into steam, which created an intense pressure and an intense explosion. The result was a half-mile wide crater surrounded by a large cinder field.

Ubehebe Crater

The hikes: Those wanting a different perspective than the one from the parking lot, have three trails to chose from.

Option 1: “Down the crater”
This trail leads off with a quick easy descent to the crater floor, but the steep 600-foot climb back to the rim does not look as enjoyable.

Option 2: “Little Hebe Trail”
This one-mile out-and-back follows the western rim to a much smaller adjacent crater, Little Hebe. Along the way, hikers get a good view of the fault of yellow and orange stone, which divides the eastern wall of the crater. Beyond the crater, one can see an expansive cinder field darkening the desert floor.

Option 3: “The Rim Trail”
Continue past Little Ubehebe on this 2-mile circuit around the crater back to the parking lot. Much of the sandy rim is level, but the west side of the crater is 270 feet higher. That plus the soft terrain makes this a bit more than a stroll. The views don’t change much between options two and three.

It is often extremely windy along the rim of Ubehebe Crater. Be prepared for cooler temperatures than the desert floor.

To get to Ubehebe Crater: From Furnace Creek, take the 190 north for for 17 miles to the intersection with Scotty’s Castle Road. Turn right and continue north for 33.4 miles on Scotty’s Castle Road. Turn left on Racetrack Road (1.6 miles short of Scotty’s Castle) and drive 5.5 miles over gravel to the crater.

Use the map below to create your own directions to the crater:

Photos

 

                           

The photos were taken in November of 2009. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Salt Creek This easy one mile out-and-back crosses a short boardwalk bordering a little creek.
	Mosaic Canyon This 1 to 4-mile hike starts up a smooth marble slot canyon and exposes visitors to plenty of great Death Valley geology.
	Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes This 1 + mile hike explores the most visible (but not the largest) sand dunes in Death Valley.
	Badwater Basin This is the lowest place in North America — a required stop for first time visitors to Death Valley.
	Death Valley Explore more destinations in Death Valley National Park

 

Similar Trails

 

Amboy Crater This 3-mile round trip hike travels up and into this ‘Mojave National Preserve adjacent’ crater.

 

Camping

 

Death Valley Campgrounds There are nine campgrounds spread throughout this large park to facilitate your visit.

 

More Info

 

Ubehebe Crater on wikipedia

Ubehebe Crater on birdandhike.com

Ubehebe Crater on protrails.com

Ubehebe Crater on huffingtonpost.com

The official website for Death Valley

Death Valley on Wikipedia