Albuquerque Volcanoes - The Three Sisters, Volcanoes Day Use Area, Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico

Albuquerque Volcanoes - The Three Sisters - 2.0 miles

Volcanoes Day Use Area

Seen here is the JA Volcano, one of three main cinder cones created by a 5-mile long fissure eruption

Seen here is the JA Volcano, one of three main cinder cones created by a 5-mile long fissure eruption

Round-Trip Length: 2.0 miles
Start-End Elevation: 5,835' - 5,835' (6,000' max elevation)
Elevation Change: +165' net elevation gain (+280' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level: Easy-Moderate
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Bikes Allowed: No
Horses Allowed: No
Related Trails:

Albuquerque Volcanoes - The Three Sisters - 2.0 Miles Round-Trip

The Volcanoes Day Use Area provides visitors with a very different experience from the rest of Petroglyph National Monument. This broad, flat and grassy area is known to locals in Albuquerque as "The Three Sisters" or the "Albuquerque Volcanoes".

Around 150,000 years ago, the Albuquerque area was a hot-bed of volcanic activity. Unlike traditional volcanoes which emit lava and gas from a central vertical vent, the Albuquerque Volcanoes were formed by Fissure Eruptions. These rare eruptions ooze magma out of thin, horizontal cracks in the Earth's crust that extend for miles along a more linear plane (5 miles long in this case). Fissure eruptions leave behind multiple 'cinder cones' which now appear as small hills spread across the Volcanoes Day Use Area. An example of an active fissure eruption is the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.

While there are several short named trails such as the JA Volcano / Albuquerque Overlook, Black Volcano Loop and Vulcan Volcano Loop, the area is a criss-cross of trails which encircle the volcanos.

The main trail heads east from the parking lot. It will lead you to the first volcano named JA Volcano, and provides excellent views of Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains. After reaching the first volcano, you are free to safely make your own way around the other volcanoes.

Do not expect to see petroglyphs on this trail as the Volcanoes Day Use Area provides a different and unique experience compared to the rest of the park.

Ancestral and modern Pueblo peoples believe that hiking to the top of the volcanic cones desecrates this landscape. Please respect this belief by not climbing on or to the top of the volcanoes.

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Interactive GPS Topo Map

Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

  • N35 07.835 W106 46.805 — Albuquerque Volcanoes Trailhead - The Three Sisters

Worth Noting

  • Ancestral and Modern Pueblo peoples believe that hiking to the top of the volcanic cones desecrates this landscape. Please respect this belief by not climbing on or to the top of the volcanoes

  • This area is fully exposed, with no cover from the elements. Lightning can strike at anytime so please keep the weather forecast in mind. Weather can also change within minutes

  • There are no petroglyphs on this trail. Rather, it is a lesson in the greater volcanic geology and creation of Petroglyph National Monument

  • The volcanic rock you see is basalt. Basalt consists of the minerals olivine, plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene and magnetite.

Camping and Backpacking Information

There is no camping in the Volcanoes Day Use Area.

Fishing Information

There is no fishing in the Volcanoes Day Use Area.

Rules and Regulations

  • Dogs are permitted on the trails provided they are on a leash, no longer than 6 feet, at all times. Bring a bag to pick-up after your dog and dispose of it in the trash receptacle. Remember to bring plenty of water for your dog(s) and it is illegal to leave them unattended in your vehicle or chained to a post at the trailhead

  • This is a no-fee day-use area only. The area is gated after-hours

  • Removing, defacing or destroying artifacts or rocks is illegal, and violators will be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law

  • Ancestral and modern Pueblo peoples believe that hiking to the top of the volcanic cones desecrates this landscape. Please respect this belief by not climbing on or to the top of the volcanoes.

Directions to Trailhead

From I-40 west of Albuquerque, take exit #149 and head north on Paseo Del Volcan for 4.8 miles to the unpaved Volcanoes Access Road. Turn right onto the access road and drive straight ahead for a few hundred yards to the trailhead. If the gate is closed, you can park in the first parking lot. If the gate is open, you can drive to the second parking lot where the trailhead is located. Parking in the first lot does not add any significant length.

Contact Information

Petroglyph National Monument
Attn: Visitor Services
6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120

By Phone
Visitor Information
505.899.0205

By Fax
505.899.0207

Las Imagenes Visitor Center is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

*Closed on: New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days. The visitor center typically closes at 2:00pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Trip Reports

There are no trip reports on this trail.



Comments

"Kris, if you take Paseo westbound it eventually becomes Atrisco Vista Blvd which is the road that runs along the backside of the volcanoes w/access. "
Adam  -  ABQ  -  Date Posted: February 13, 2015
"Hi, I'm an avid bike rider and have attempted twice now to make it to the volcanoes but I can't seem to find a way there by bicycle. Is there another route I can take without having to get on i40?"
Kris  -  SE Heights  -  Date Posted: July 25, 2014
"I have been to the volcanos many times and enjoy it as it was my first. We stay on the trails for all the right reasons. On the 18th of May we ran into one of the biggest Rattle Snakes I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. He was almost 5.5 feet and very fat. Pay attention and be carefull. This snake was on the trail and could have put a hurtting or even killed someone. STAY SAFE BE ALERT."
Bill Steele  -  Albuquerque  -  Date Posted: December 10, 2012
"Hard to believe it appears so desolate just a few miles outside of Albuquerque. Watch for snakes-your best bet is to stay on the trails. Fantastic views of the valley. The volcanoes have always enticed me on my numerous trips to Albuquerque. "
Judy Horner  -  Northeast Ohio  -  Date Posted: June 19, 2012

 

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