Lava tube is a natural place that formed by flowing lava from volcanic vent. It moves below the harden surface of earth of lava flow. Once the lava tubes get empty, it would result in a cave. Therefore, lava tubes are basically a lava cave.
Lava caves in flagstaff are the most common activities that tourists attend to enjoy. The most common lava tube caves in Flagstaff are the one located in Coconino National Forest. It is called the Lava River Cave.
What Is The Best Time To Visit The Lava Tubes In Flagstaff? Lava River Cave:
You can basically visit the Lava River Cave all year round because the temperature inside the cave inside the cave remain the same during summer and winter (between 35° and 45° Fahrenheit). However, the best time to visit the Lava tubes in flagstaff is during winter as you can enjoy some other activities, such as skiing, snowbiking, and hiking.
Lava Caves In Flagstaff:
The Ponderosa Pine forest in Northern Arizona contains abundant of volcano, which result in richness in lava caves in flagstaff. One of those is the Lava River Caves that were created by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent near Hart Prairie.
The lave flowed from the vent, which result the outer surface to harden to a tube-like formation. It creates a fiery faucet because of the molten lave that creates a tunnel called fiery faucet.
Once the lava stopped flowing inside the lava tubes in Flagstaff the cave cooled down creating a 3/4 mile long tunnel that you can explore. As a matter of fact, the Lava River Cave is 700,000-year-old and stay cool 35°-42° even in the summer.
What To Bring To The Lava Tubes In Flagstaff?
1. Flashlight, Headlamp, or Lantern:
The rock floors of the lava tubes in flagstaff are slippery and dark, so you need a flashlight, headlamp, or lantern to brighten your way. It is also for a safety purpose because you need to see your way inside the cave. As a matter of fact, it is completely dark that you cannot your foot or hands, so bring a flashlight, headlamp, or lantern is a great idea. Make sure to carry a spare.
2. Steay Shoes:
I would not recommend walking inside the tubes caves in Flagstaff with a flip flop. It would not be safe for you. You should wear a proper shoes, such as hiking boots, running shoes…etc. The surface is uneven at the bottom of the cave, and it is completely dark that you might bang into something.
3. Warm Clothes:
Although the average temperature inside the tubes caves in Flagstaff is around 42°, but it does not stay constant. I would recommend bring a warm clothes if you visit in the winter because there might be a snowmelt or rainstorms that keep the cave cold.
4. Helmet (Optional):
The lava tubes in Flagstaff can change height frequently, so you might bang your head into the wall, so a helmet can keep you safe. You can buy a helmet that contains a headlamp, which would be two in one. It can lighten your way and keep your head safe. I would recommend you to try the Klein Tools 60150 Safety Helmet.
The lava tubes in flagstaff can be an amazing experience that you get to try once in a lifetime. The Lava River Cave in Flagstaff can stir your sense of wonder and can amaze you in so many ways. You should definitely give it a visit and experience it for yourself.
What you expect visiting the lava caves in Flagstaff is that of an easy maintained trail from the parking lot to the trailhead of Lava River Cave. It is about 1/4 mile to reach the beginning of the lava cave in flagstaff, and it is an easy hike. Inside the cave where it gets a bit challenging. Therefore, if you fellow the travel tips provided in this article, you should manage hiking it with ease.
You should also visit our other articles to learn more about incredible places to visit in Arizona, such as hiking trails in Sedona, and things to do in Phoenix Arizona.
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