This 250-foot-high crater is approximately 6,000 years old and one of the best examples in the Mojave Desert of a volcanic cinder cone. go left when in middle to climb up. Once you’re in the cone’s center, hike straight into the caldera, or climb one of the steep trails to the rim. Real chill. Keep eyes open esp if you subject a dog to this hike. Our first mistake was to think that we could cover the four-mile round trip. When we arrived, we found a small asphalt parking lot large enough for several campers. It is situated in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States. Overall beautiful trail. As you travel this remote section of Route 66 between Ludlow and Needles, Amboy Crater is easy to spot from far away. open 24hrs hike down is dangerous ish at night. From Barstow, go east on I-40 and exit at Ludlow. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Amboy Crater is located on Route 66 between Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from September until February. Dog friendly! Sunblock, hats and water are a necessity. Name: Amboy Crater: Summary: Hike into a cinder cone: Type: Day Hike - Out and Back: Distance (Total) 3.0 miles / 4.8 km: Elevation Gain: 970 feet / 296 meters Amboy Crater is an extinct cinder cone volcano that rises above a 70-square-kilometer lava field in the eastern Mojave Desert of southern California, within Mojave Trails National Monument. At the base, hike to the west side where the trail is much easier to see. Be sure to bring about one gallon of water with you. Long flat hike in, short up and over the lip. The Amboy Crater is located off Route 66 in California in the Mojave Desert. I freaking love this trail! The Amboy Crater is an extinct cinder cone volcano off Interstate 40 — and old Route 66 — about halfway between Barstow and Needles. Bathrooms are open and plenty of shaded picking tables available too. This hike is best attempted in the Fall and Winter as Summer temperatures can get over 100 degrees. It is located near, but not within, Mojave National Preserve. Bureau of land management 760-326-7000 The hike to the Crater and back can take 2-3 hours. Elevation change: 275 feet. You can hike all the way to the top of the crater and get vast views of the surrounding landscape. Should be (easy) but for a rough patch entering the crater. We pulled in-between two other campers and prepared for our hike to the top of a volcano. In 1973, Amboy Crater was designated … 3 miles round trip The volcano last erupted about 10,000 years ago, so the land looks fresh and raw. HOT. The hike roundtrip from the parking lot was 3.6 miles according to my watch. Mojave desert hike onto an ancient volcano crater through lava fields. During the rest of the year, it's intolerable because of the heat. Find the best Hiking on Yelp: search reviews of 36 Amboy businesses by price, type, or location.  The drop off at the top is deep, so watch your pups! Stunning views of Sheephorn wilderness and Mojave preserve. Amboy Crater was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, due to is visual and geological significance. Hiking poles will help the decent. Amboy Crater is a 6.6 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Amboy, California and is rated as moderate. Amboy Crater is a 4.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Amboy, California and is rated as moderate. It’s basically the most convenient spot for access to any of the surrounding desert hikes. Bring shade, water, and sunglasses. Wildflowers were all along the trail to the crater. Details. From the base, hike to the west side up a moderate slope. Late January through March are good times to see the wildflowers. Jan 19, 2015 - Explore Jan Hunter's board "Amboy crater" on Pinterest. We were surprised at how new the amenities were at the Amboy Crater. There is no water or trashcans at this site, which re-enforces the "pack it... Neat hike. It’s was amazing being in a volcano crater. Near Twentynine Palms, California. At the breach, hike up the steep incline into the crater. The Amboy Crater is best experienced from late September to late April. Located literally in the middle of nowhere, near the small town of Amboy, sits this massive volcano known as the Amboy Crater. The crater has been protected by Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark since the 1970s, which became part of Mojave Trails National Monument when it was created in February of 2016. You enter the crater from the south side. See more ideas about amboy crater, amboy, crater. http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/amboy.html. Amboy Crater is a popular dog friendly hike in Los Angeles. A footpath leads to the top of the cone where you can get a good view of the surrounding area. Crater Road is beautifully paved, there are restrooms and picnic tables in the day use area and a wide paved pull-off for overnight use. Easy going trail until you get to the crater, the 2 shade benches are nice because it's 100% exposure. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Amboy Crater just off Route 66. View from the rim of the crater are pretty. Your email address will not be published. Expect to spend at least two hours on your hike, and be sure to wear durable footwear and carry plenty of water. The Trail on the northwest side (not the breach) is too steep to be attempted and is closed for hiking. Amboy Crater is on BLM land with no entrance fee. Turn right on Ludlow and an immediate left onto National Trails Highway (Route 66). I came here on the last day of May, it was hot. Amboy Crater 34.545171800000, -115.789455200000 This 250-foot cinder cone of black lava, long a landmark for westward migrants on Route 66 and its forerunners, is an excellent place to get a glimpse of some of the youngest rock in the Mojave Desert. The crater is one of the most complete craters based on the way it erupted. The view from the 984-foot rim will awe those who take in the vastness of the Mojave Desert, where faraway cars on the desert highway appear to be miniature toys against this epic landscape. The crater trail starts though the lava fields. Amboy Crater is pet-friendly. The trail to the top of the Amboy Crater is an easy stretch of a little over a mile with signs indicating which way to go. Turn right on Crucero Road and make an immediate left onto Route 66. Heat related illness and death have occurred in this area, take precaution and be well prepared if hiking during the summer months. Amboy crater is a moderate hike off of route 66. Take route 66 to Amboy crater. Enter though the breach and enjoy! Just past the lava field is a moderately flat area to the base. You just can't bring enough water. It was a 100 degrees when I hiked it. It’s incredible the number of times we have stayed in motels in the city of Barstow. My pup loved it as well. Fun hike. We spend about 3 hours the whole hike and exploring. Poles may help someone less balanced at height of crater ridge where a few areas are narrow with obvious drop off at sides. Amboy Crater is a volcano -- a fresh volcano -- that stands some 250 vertical feet above the surrounding terrain, which is a lava field partially covered with windblown sand. The Amboy Crater is a large cinder cone that is located south of the Mojave National Preserve along historic Route 66. Bring lots of water and avoid midday. Bring plenty of water. This extinct volcano is near Route 66 and is estimated to be 79,000 years. The site offers picnic tables, restroom facilities, hiking trail to the rim with rest stations along the way, and an ADA ramada overlook for viewing. Features: This is a short but scenic hike in the newly designated Mojave Trails National Monument. A quick trail to the summit of a 10,000-year-old volcanic crater. Boy Scout Trail To Willow Hole Extended Route, Mount Bob Loop from Indian Cove Campground, Rattlesnake Canyon from Indian Cove Picnic Area, Rattle Snake Canyon to Oh-Bay-Yo-Yo Shelter Hike. 8 Places in Southern California to See Wildflowers in 2018. Amboy Crater, formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter. The crater is actually an ancient cinder cone near the Mojave national preserve. Bring lots of water and sun protective clothing. There's an overflow parking area that you can dry camp in about 1/4 mile before the day use area and crater trailhead. The 3-1/4-mile, round trip, trail to the summit leaves the trailhead and winds among ridges of lava, then sets out across open terrain covered with loose sand … Amboy Crater is a relatively new volcano, the last eruption was 10,000 years ago. We hiked back near sunset and it was pretty epic. Close-toed sturdy shoes a must, the pumice is sharp! It is located near the town of Amboy, which has its own interesting little story. You can hike on the rim from one side of the breach to the other. The view from the 1,508-foot-wide rim will awe you as you take in the vastness of the Mojave Desert , where faraway cars on desert highways look like miniature toys against this epic landscape. Lunar landscape inside, you can hike around the top edge of the crater for 360 views. Easy hike and it's free Interesting Critters, Rocks and Plants. On the west side, follow the hike trail near the base. A Visit to Amboy Crater: Combine this hike into the center of a volcanic cinder cone, along with a road trip over a desolate stretch of old Route 66 and you’ll enjoy a full day of desert exploring. The site is within the Mojave Trails National Monument and is overseen by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Will definitely do again but in the winter. A visit to Amboy Crater will definitely take you back in time. Great opportunity to examine Desert Iguanas and other lizards. come when not cloudly night hike is fun an not that dangerous. It is about 75 miles (120 km) equidistant from Barstow to the west and Needles to the east, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of historic U.S. Route 66, near the town of Amboy in San Bernardino County. In 1973, Amboy Crater was designated the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark. Miake was found about 4:05 p.m. and Barber was found about 150 yards away at … From Barstow, take I40 West, exit Ludlow Rd. If you like being far away from populated areas (like us), then this remote region of the Mojave Desert is for you. The Crater area has been used to test the Mars rovers. Well marked trail through low desert lava fields. The rocky trail up, on and down the crater is best done with hiking boots. Once inside, you can hike straight to the caldera, or follow one of the steep trails up to the rim. A lot of desert iguanas. the end was decent view of the “Crater”. The trailhead is on the west side of the parking lot. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from September until February. The crater is easy and free to access and explore. Most of the hike is a flat-ish walk to the base of the crater. (28 miles east of Ludlow, 2 miles west of Amboy). Amboy Crater is located between Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve, about 1 hr and 15 minutes from the city of Barstow. Ten thousand years ago, this cinder cone volcano erupted, transforming the surrounding landscape. Beautiful trail. Easy fun hike with a nice view at the end. The northeast side of the rim is very narrow and steep on both sides so be careful. Hike early in morning just after sunrise. Amboy is set in a wide, desolate valley partly covered by a large area of lava, at the center of which is a distinctive black cinder cone crater. Visit BringFido for an overview of the trail, along with pictures, directions, and reviews from dog owners who’ve been there. . The trail is poorly maintained and at time non-existent. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, then read on for all the information. Restrooms and picnic benches are located at the crater hike trailhead. Not too much there other than the crater and Roy's Café down the road. Head south toward the crater. Easy stroll and then some scrambling up into the crater. Once in the crater there is a trail around the rim as well as several trails that go from top to bottom. Redirecting to https://www.blm.gov/visit/amboy-crater-national-natural-landmark. I did it in 95° weather with no shade. Turn right at the Amboy Crater sign and follow the dirt road to the end. Barber called … They were eventually found unresponsive one to two miles east of the Amboy Crater trail head. Amboy Crater is nestled halfway between Barstow and Needles, just off historic Route 66. Great trail for sure footed pups who already have well calloused foot pads. Although Amboy Crater is not unique, it is an excellent example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. Amboy Crater Hike into a 6,000-year-old volcanic remnant Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 and located just off historic Route 66, Amboy Crater is an example of geology creating geometry—it’s an almost perfectly symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. 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