Ubehebe Crater

Located in the desolate northern section of Death Valley, Ubehebe Crater is one of the many unique geologic features of Death Valley.  Ubehebe, an Indian name meaning "big basket in the rock" and pronounced YOU-bee-HEE-bee, is the largest and most colorful crater in a field of craters that were all created by powerful volcanic explosions.  These volcanoes, however, did not erupt with the usual lava flow.  Instead, they exploded violently from the pressure of super-heated steam!  This is the only volcano of its type in the southwestern United States and, since it's just 6 miles west of Scotty's Castle, we suggest that you combine the two sights for a full day of interesting exploring!  Or, plan on stopping at Ubehebe Crater on your way to visit the fascinating Racetrack Area.

If you can arrive at the crater when the sun is low in the sky (either morning or late afternoon), the shadows really accentuate the ridges that have been created by years of erosion.  The picture above is the view of the crater from the parking lot on a winter afternoon.  Spectacular!

Show me the Maps Show me the Photo Tour Tell me about the Geology

Crater Facts Show me the Hikes Rim Trail Crater Floor Trail

  Getting There
As mentioned above, Ubehebe Crater is located at the far northern end of Death Valley.  We recommend that, if you're going to drive all the way out there, you add your visit to the crater with a visit to Scotty's Castle or add it to a trip to the Racetrack Area.  Even if you don't have time to do any hiking around the volcanic field, just the view from the parking lot is worth the drive!

From the east (Scotty's Castle):   From the Scotty's Castle parking lot, head west on Grapevine Canyon, back to NPS Route 5.  At the junction with NPS Route 5, turn right (north).  See * below for further directions. 

From the south (Stovepipe Wells):  From the junction of NPS Route 5 and S.R. 190, take NPS Route 5 north (towards Scotty's Castle) for 32.8 miles.  At the junction of NPS Route 5 and Grapevine Canyon (the road to Scotty's Castle), take the paved road to the left.  This well-signed, paved road leads to Ubehebe Crater and Racetrack Valley.  This junction is just past the new National Park payment and Ranger Station.  See * below for further directions.and go 2.8 miles.

* As you head north from the junction of NPS Route 5 and Grapevine Canyon, follow the paved road for 5.6 miles.  At this junction, follow the signed, paved road to the left.  Making a right turn here puts you onto the dirt of Racetrack Valley Road and leads to the Racetrack Area.  This junction also marks the beginning of the one-way loop road to the rim of Ubehebe Crater.  There are more than 30 parking spaces at the rim. 

Be aware:  Ubehebe Crater is known for being the windiest place in the Park.  If you plan to hike around the volcanic field, bring some warmer clothing like a jacket.  Also note that if the winds are fairly strong at the parking lot, they will be even stronger at the rim and you might feel the stinging of small, airborne volcanic material as you walk around.

Crater Facts
Here are some quick facts about Ubehebe Crater and the surrounding volcanic crater field:

	Ubehebe is the largest crater in a volcanic field of several craters.
	Ubehebe is almost ½ mile across (in diameter) and is 500 feet deep from the parking lot and 777 feet deep from the highest point of the rim.
	All the craters in this field were formed from an unusual "maars" type volcano (read more in the Geology section below).
	The volcano's erupted when hot magma from beneath the Earth's surface rose up and encountered water.  The super-heated ground water near the surface; turning it to steam.  The pressure of the steam built up to the point where it exploded, blasting earth material up and out creating the craters.
	Even though hot magma (lava) was present, none of it came out of any of the craters.
	During the eruption, volcanic material in the form of ash and cinders was thrown out six miles from the craters.
	The volcanic field includes two well-defined craters (Ubehebe and Little Hebe), five recognizable craters and three faintly visible craters.
	Each crater, including Ubehebe, was the result of a single eruption or explosion.
	Exactly when the individual eruptions occurred is not clear, however, most geologists agree that it was approximately 6,000 years ago.

For more details about the geology of these craters and their volcanoes, please read the Geology section below. 

The Hikes
There are basically two hikes you can take at Ubehebe Crater.  The Rim Trail takes you around the rims of the craters and the Crater Floor Trail takes you down to the bottom of Ubehebe.  The Rim Trail is not clearly marked with signs but the paths are well-worn.  If you decide to take the Rim Trail hike, consider taking some of the other side hikes including a walk around the rim of the Little Hebe crater.  If you plan on exploring both routes, we suggest you hike the Rim Trail first because the Crater Floor Hike is difficult. 

Both hikes start at the parking lot. 

Rim Trail Hiking Info:

This hike is rated a 4 on our difficulty chart because there are some steep inclines and slippery footing.  Once you are on top of the rims, however, the walking is easy as long as you are careful to stay on the well-traveled paths.  The trail is narrow in places with very steep sides and the volcanic material is very loose - so watch your step!  The trail can also faint at times but just stay on the crater rims and you'll be fine. 

There is no "official" trail to follow here so you are free to hike in either direction and see the whole crater field or just parts of it.  We recommend that you go around the crater field in a counter-clockwise direction and take the extra time to investigate a few of the the other craters as well as Ubehebe. 

As you stand in the parking lot and look across the crater, you are looking almost due east towards Scotty's Castle.  To start the hike, turn right (south) and follow the rim up the steep, well-traveled trail [see picture].  This is the steepest part of the trail and the loose, volcanic rubble you're walking on will slip out from under you so be careful. 

Aerial view of crater field looking east: blue line indicates paved road, yellow line indicates rim hiking trails.

At the top of this first incline, you are at the rim of a smaller, unnamed crater.  Here, you can choose to either continue on straight, heading down, then up the other side of the crater which is the shortest path to the Little Hebe crater or you can bear right and follow the side trail along the rim of this older crater.  We recommend taking this side route because it offers good views of the valley, the deeply eroded folds on the west side of the crater field and the craters of the "West Crater Group".  The ridges and folds created by erosion are almost mesmerizing to look at from the top [see picture].  The short hike around this unnamed crater rim meets back up with the main trail to Little Hebe.  Watch for the sign marking the trail to Little Hebe [see picture].

Volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and wildflowers, like the Bigelow Monkeyflower (left) take advantage of it.  Because the volcanic soil is black and absorbs heat, wildflowers tend to bloom very early here.  So, even in the late winter months, you might be treated to some spring flowers.

Once you get to Little Hebe, you can hike around its rim and get a good look at this in-tact crater or continue on the trail as it takes you up, along the rim of another unnamed crater.  At the high point of this rim the main trail will turn to the left and drop steeply.  Before making this turn, however, we recommend that you continue along the rim to the right.  This short detour gives you a good view of the Little Hebe crater [see picture] (to your right) and some more of those deep, eroded ridges on your right.

Double back from your detour and follow the steep, main trail down towards Ubehebe Crater.  You will soon be on the east rim of Ubehebe.  As you hike along the rim, we remind you again to be careful with your footing.  Be sure to stop frequently and look inside the crater.  The different angles and changes in lighting highlight the dramatic erosion that has taken place here.  Continue to follow the main trail along the crater's rim and you will end up back at the parking lot; having made a complete circle.

Crater Floor Trail Hiking Info:

 This hike takes you down to the bottom of Ubehebe Crater and, although we have not yet taken this hike, it is rated a 4+ on our difficulty scale because of the obviously steep descent (and returning ascent) combined with the slippery footing of the volcanic rubble under your feet.  You should be in good physical condition to attempt this hike!

There are two ways to get to the floor of the crater. The trailhead most people see first is the one closest to the parking lot but this route is very steep.  We recommend, instead, the second trail.  It is a little longer overall but is not as steep and, therefore, not as difficult.  This trailhead is a few hundred feet north of the parking lot (towards the exit).  Look for the trail that leads down into the crater [see picture] and make a 130º right turn.

Remember, you will be walking on loose, volcanic material that makes this steep hike even more difficult.  Coming back up the trail will be a lot like walking in sand - for every two or three steps you take forward, you will slide back one.  Be prepared for a workout!  

The view from the bottom is probably very rewarding.  Knowing that you are standing in the center of what was once an active volcano and looking up at the steep walls must be quite a sight!  

The Geology
All of the craters in this crater field, including Ubehebe, were formed by massive explosions of steam.  As hot, molten magma rose up from the Earth’s center, it encountered ground water as it got close to the surface.  This water was turned into steam and, when the bedrock could no longer take the tremendous pressure, it violently erupted, spewing ash over a large area and creating the craters you see today. 

Geologists call a crater that is created by a steam explosion a "maar".  This type of crater is not very common in North America but there are some others nearby in the volcanically-active area of Mammoth Lakes.  The Inyo Domes are the more typical maars because they have filled with water and formed lakes.   Because Ubehebe is such a well-known maar crater, some geologists refer to maars as "ubehebes". 

Most geologists agree that the craters here were formed around 6,000 years ago and believe that the smaller craters were created first.  Ubehebe is the youngest and the largest of the craters and shows evidence of having a very non-standard eruption pattern.  Looking at the east rim of the crater from the parking lot (see picture below), you'll notice that there are well over 50 clearly-defined layers of black and white volcanic ash that have been deposited in quick succession on top of the existing orange-colored bedrock.  These layers are 80 feet thick and lead geologists to believe that Ubehebe "puffed" many times, like an old steam locomotive, with each puff depositing volcanic ash on the surrounding crater surface.

From the parking lot, notice the black and white layers above the orange bedrock on the crater's east side.

Unlike what most people think of when they picture a volcano erupting, none of these craters had a lava flow.  They did, however, throw out a good volume of volcanic ash along with their steam as evidenced by the layers found in the surrounding area.  Another unusual feature of Ubehebe Crater is the intensity of the orange colors inside the crater.  These rocks were quickly oxidized when hot water percolated up just before the eruption. 

As you look at the north side of the crater (to your left) from the parking lot, you may wonder why the bedrock color changes from orange to beige?  You may also wonder why the crater developed at this particular location?  Both questions can be answered by the fact that there is a thrust (or reverse) fault [glossary] [see example] visible on this side of the crater right where the color changes (see picture below). 

This fault runs north and south through the middle of the crater and existed before the eruption.  And, like most thrust or normal faults, this one is also responsible for doing some mountain building with Tin Mountain, to the south of the crater, as the result.  Faults, being cracks in the earth's surface, are natural exits for magma as it rises up from the Earth's core because magma operates much like water, seeking the path of least resistance. 

Faults are also known as barriers for underground water, blocking it from escaping.  The fact that there were trapped pools of underground water here is another indication that a fault is nearby.  This fault had trapped water a hundred or more feet from the surface so, as the rising magma got closer and closer to it, it superheated and caused the eruption.  With the number of craters found around Ubehebe, it is obvious that this routine happened many times over a period of years.

When you are at the rim of Ubehebe Crater, take a look around.  Much of the volcanic material you are standing on now, mainly cinders and related small pebbles, are found strewn for miles around the crater.  During the eruption, the magma that was pushed to the surface was pulverized and blown out of the crater by the steam explosions.  The pulverized material landed all over the area for a 2 to 6 mile radius.tuff ring"

For the past 6,000 years, erosion has been creating deep crevices and fascinating patterns on the inner crater walls and they are at their most dramatic when the sun is low in the sky [see picture].  The best time to view the crater is when the sun is low in the sky (in the morning or late afternoon).

Photo Tour:
Click on picture to enlarge
Pictures taken: December 2003

	Panorama of Ubehebe Crater as seen from the parking lot.
	The narrow, one-way paved road as you leave the parking lot.  Notice the beginning of the recommended Crater Floor Trail in the right side of the picture.
	Looking from the parking lot, you can see both trails leading to the bottom of the crater in the lower left.  Also notice the mud puddle of eroded debris at the bottom.
	A closer look at the east side of the crater.  In the background are the Grapevine Mountains, with snowcapped Grapevine Peak at 8,738 feet.
	Notice the people on the trail to the bottom (lower left).  This is the trail we don't recommend.
	View of the trails that lead down to the bottom of the crater as seen from the south side of the crater.  The trail on the far right is the Crater Floor Trail we recommend because it is not as steep.
	Beginning of the Rim Trail, as you head counter-clockwise, leaving the parking lot.
	Tin Mountain, at 8,900 feet, peeks out above one of the older craters along the Rim Trail.
	Looking back at the parking lot from first, uphill climb of the Rim Trail.
	Looking down at some of the oddly-formed, eroded ridges and folds along the Rim Trail.  From far away, they look very small but, close up, it's a different story.
	Looking down at the eroded, outer side of one of the older craters.  As you walk along, notice how much different the outside of the younger Ubehebe Crater looks.
	The trail to Little Hebe.  A side trail to the right will take around the rim of this unnamed, older crater.
	View of the older "West Crater Group" which can only be seen by taking the side trail mentioned above.  There are three craters - can you spot them?
	Similar view as the previous picture.  The paved road to Ubehebe and its junction with Racetrack Valley Road is in the upper right.
	View of one of the other older craters looking south-southeast.
	Looking south, up the long, narrow valley towards Racetrack.
	One of the side rim trails looking looking south, down the valley towards Racetrack Valley.
	People hiking along the different rim trails towards Little Hebe crater.
	The "hillside" in the left center of this photo is the western, outer edge of Littel Hebe crater.
	View of the main trail with Ubehebe Crater in the background.
	View from one of the side trails looking back at the parking lot (upper center)
	View of the western edge of crater field.  Racetrack Valley Road can be seen in top left.
	A whole field of oddly shaped folds that are seen from the older crater (on side route).
	Back on the main trail, the only sign you'll find on this trail directs hikers to Little Hebe.
	Little Hebe crater as seen from the higher part of the Rim Trail to the east.
	A closer view of Little Hebe.
	This view of Little Hebe includes a person (in red) on the left side of the rim for scale.  Also notice the parking lot in the distance, on the right.
	Looking 180º (in the opposite direction) from the previous picture are some unique erosion patterns.
	More examples of erosion.  Grapevine Peak is again in the distance.
	Continuing on the Rim Trail gives you this view of Ubehebe Crater from the south side. Can you spot the people walking along the rim?  Hint:  they're on the right side of the picture.
	Another view from the south side of the crater.
	A view now from the southeast side of the crater.
	As you approach the east side of the crater, the Rim Trail descends steeply.
	Now on the east side of Ubehebe, you can look across and see people walking up the first incline of the Rim Trail (from the parking lot) on the opposite side of the crater.
	From the east side of Ubehebe, look at the inside wall on the west side to see an excellent example of a steep, mini alluvial fan.
	Towards the end of the Rim Trail, look back at the at the east side of Ubehebe.
	Looking south from the south rim of Ubehebe, notice how far the fallout of the volcanic ash fallout spreads.  You can also see the road you came in on.
	The home stretch of the Ubehebe Rim Rrail.  The paved road is in the distance.

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Last updated March 03, 2007

June 2005 Version
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