Crossing the Fractured Lava
Two hikers carefully make their way across the broken volcanic terrain near the Zuni-Acoma Trailhead at El Malpais National Monument. Deep fissures cut through the ancient lava while lichens, grasses, and junipers reclaim the rugged high-desert landscape. Beneath a heavy New Mexico sky, the scene gives a sense of both the scale and difficulty of traveling across this remarkable volcanic environment.
#EngelPhotography #NewMexico #ElMalpais #ZuniAcomaTrail #Hiking #HikingTrail #VolcanicRock #LavaField #LavaCrevice #HighDesert #Juniper #Lichen #LandscapePhotography #SouthwestPhotography #AmericanSouthwest
#EngelPhotography #NewMexico #ElMalpais #ZuniAcomaTrail #Hiking #HikingTrail #VolcanicRock #LavaField #LavaCrevice #HighDesert #Juniper #Lichen #LandscapePhotography #SouthwestPhotography #AmericanSouthwest
Photographer
James Engel
Date & Time
Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at 5:21 PM America/Denver
Focal Length
28mm
Shutter Speed
1/125 sec
Aperture
ƒ/3.8
ISO
80
Location
North America, The United States of America, New Mexico, El Malpais National Monument, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead, Zuni-Acoma Trailhead Area
Keywords
Desert Landscape, Hiking Trail, Juniper, Landscapes & Nature, Lava Field, Lichen, Mountain Landscape, National Park, People, Plant, Rock, Volcanic Rock, Johnnie Engel, Sam Engel
Camera
Nikon D850
Approximate Map Location
Latitude: 34.955917
Longitude: -107.942711
Altitude: 2,119.0 meters / 6,952.1 feet
Longitude: -107.942711
Altitude: 2,119.0 meters / 6,952.1 feet