El Malpais Wilderness Study Area

Rio Puerco Field Office, 100 Sun Avenue NE, Suite 330
Albuquerque, NM 87109

The El Malpais WSA consists of several independent tracts of land under consideration for Wilderness designation in conjunction with lands proposed for Wilderness within the El Malpais National Monument (managed by the National Park Service). One tract includes Little Hole-in-the-Wall, a kīpuka (a Hawaiian term meaning island of fertile ground). The kīpuka is surrounded entirely by jagged basalt. This area is covered by piñon-juniper woodlands and open stands of ponderosa pine. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

Directions

From I-40, turn south on Highway 53 (Exit 81) at the west end of Grants. Park at the National Park Service's Zuni Acoma Trail trailhead adjacent to and on the south side of Highway 53, about 16 miles south of Interstate 40. Hike approximately 1.5 miles south to the intersection with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Taking the right fork, continue hiking south a short distance, then follow the trail west about a mile to a fence crossing. The El Malpais WSA is on the other side of the fence.