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A Lava tube is a natural place formed by flowing lava from a volcanic vent. It moves below the hardened surface of the earth of lava flow. Once the lava tubes get empty, it would result in a cave. Therefore, lava tubes are 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 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 visit the Lava River Cave all year round because the temperature remains 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 other activities, such as skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking.
Lava Caves In Flagstaff:
The Ponderosa Pine forest in Northern Arizona contains many volcanoes, which result in the richness of lava caves in Flagstaff. One of those is the Lava River Caves, which were created by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent near Hart Prairie.
Lava flowed from the vent, hardening the outer surface to a tube-like formation. The molten lava created a tunnel called a fiery faucet.
Once the lava stopped flowing inside the lava tubes in Flagstaff, the cave cooled down, creating a 3/4 mile-long tunnel to explore. The Lava River Cave is 700,000 years old and stays 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 safety because you need to see your way inside the cave. It is completely dark, so you cannot use your foot or hands, so bringing 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 flip-flops. They would not be safe. You should wear proper shoes, such as hiking boots or running shoes. The surface is uneven at the bottom of the cave, and it is completely dark so you might bang on something.
3. Warm Clothes:
Although the average temperature inside the tube caves in Flagstaff is around 42°, it does not stay constant. I would recommend bringing warm clothes if you visit in the winter because there might be 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. 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 recommend you try the Klein Tools 60150 Safety Helmet.
The lava tubes in Flagstaff can be an amazing experience you can try once in a lifetime. The Lava River Cave in Flagstaff can stir your sense of wonder and amaze you in many ways. You should visit it and experience it for yourself.
When visiting the lava caves in Flagstaff, you expect 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, it gets a bit challenging. Therefore, if you follow 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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