Meteor Crater (4 Pics)

They used to allow visitors to hike the trail around the rim and another trail that goes to the crater floor, but they stopped that (I'm not sure how long ago) to preserve the crater from erosion. When it was created it was 700-feet deep. Now it's only 500-feet to the bottom.

The only foot traffic allowed on the crater now is the hourly half-mile tour from the visitor's center to the west side of the crater.

Thats a well preserved youngish crater surely. Ours in Aussie are way old and so large you almost need aerial maps to "see" them. In one state called South Australia, there are huge "holes", one to th north of the Flinders Ranges I think, and Adelaide itself of course. (Couldn't resist that -having pulled the pin, lobs grenade and runs for cover).

Wow, Lonnie, Maureen just pointed this one out to me. I visited this crater many years ago and am still impressed. Thanks for posting.

Got a lot of frequent flier miles?

http://geology.com/met​eor-impact-craters.shtml

Wow, astounding photos.

That's some hole in the ground for sure. Nice series of photos. I love the colors in this part of the country although vegetation leaves a bit to be desired. Or is that vegetation leaves are a bit to be desired.

Ain't nothing much grows there.

I hope to meet "Arnie" in September when I go on vacation to the Southwest! Thank you for sharing!